OPINION: Proteas players showing good form ahead of Test final

They will need to adapt to the longer format, but some of South Africa’s key players will head into the World Test Championship final against Australia next month in good form after hitting their straps in the Indian Premier League (IPL).

Though SA players did not get off to a good start in the IPL campaign, some of them have since played important roles for their teams in the run-up to the playoffs.

On the eve of the World Test Championship final at Lord’s, there is some concern around the fact that the national team haven’t played a five-day game since early January, and they will have just one warm-up match against Zimbabwe to prepare for the title contest against a strong Australia side.

However, the likes of top-order batters Aiden Markram and Ryan Rickelton, and all-rounder Marco Jansen, have performed well enough in recent weeks to give Proteas coach Shukri Conrad fewer sleepless nights.

Markram on fire

Senior Proteas player Markram has been particularly impressive for the Lucknow Super Giants.

The experienced opener has racked up 409 runs in 12 games at an average of 34.08 and a strike rate of 148.72.

He has smashed five half-centuries in his last nine games, and the part-time spinner has also taken four wickets with the ball.

Rickelton has also done well for the Mumbai Indians, hitting 336 runs in 12 matches at an average of 30.54 and a strike rate of 153.42.

He hasn’t been in form throughout the tournament, but Rickelton has contributed two half-centuries in his last three innings.

Jansen shines with the ball

All-rounder Jansen, meanwhile, has looked good with ball in hand, which will be a relief for Conrad as some experienced pace bowlers are missing from the squad that will face Australia next month.

Jansen has taken 13 wickets in 12 games for the Punjab Kings at an average of 27.61 and an economy rate of 9.16, and though he has been a little more expensive than he might have liked, his performances could be crucial to the success of the frontline attack in London.

An all-round performance will be required to beat Australia, but based on the T20 form of key members of the squad, they should go into the match with some additional confidence.