Proteas banking on 'human element' ahead of WTC final at Lords

THE Proteas Test team landed in the United Kingdom over the weekend, and the full squad will start their first preparations as a group for the upcoming World Test Championship final at Lord's staring on June 11.

Throughout the build-up, the Proteas' weaknesses have been thoroughly discussed, and very little has been said about the Australian Test team and their disadvantages.

The Proteas batting unit has been diagnosed as the weak link due to the lack of experience in Test match cricket, and also due to the unit not having played against a potent bowling attack this World Test Championship cycle.

However, that is not the mood in the Proteas Test camp, as top-order batter Tristan Stubbs revealed.

The 24-year-old emphasised that the Australians, despite being the defending champions and their vast experience of high-pressure games, are also human and they would be nervous just as much going into Lord's.

Having played with Australian opening bowler Mitchell Starc at the Delhi Capitals in the Indian Premier League over the past two months, Stubbs' claim is warranted.

"I played with him (Starc). The biggest thing is they're also human. They have the same thoughts we have, which you sometimes forget because they've won these big games. They're also a bit nervous. Don't use that as a headline," chuckled Stubbs.  

"They're just as scared as we are. They have the same fears, so that bodes well. They also have insecurities."

Right from the start of his career, coach Shukri Conrad was clear about the role that he wanted Stubbs to play in the Test team.

The coach wanted Stubbs to bat at three.

However, the 24-year-old has found himself batting at different positions in the order in the ongoing World Test Championship cycle for a host of different reasons.

Many thought that the youngster would be deterred by the varying batting positions and perhaps lack an understanding of his role in the team.

However, Stubbs told the media that he is not deterred.

"My whole career, every team I play for, I have a different role, so it's nothing new. One day I'm batting at three, another day I'm batting at six. I don't mind it," said Stubbs.

"It helps the team, wherever they need, I can mould my game to that role. Once you've batted at three, you face the harder stuff with the new ball. It's pretty much like batting later in a one-day game. The situation tells you that it might be flat, and you might be able to score a bit quicker. 

"It might be overcast, you might have to come in and dig in. It's more of your game plan's role, the situation way up top. You know, okay, I'm going to come in, new ball, it's going to move around."

Having not played much red ball cricket this year, Stubbs and the rest of the batting unit will have a much-needed time in the middle next week as they are set to play against Zimbabwe in a once-off Four-Day warm-up match.