Former Titans, SA U19 and SA A coach Dave Nosworthy says the Proteas should have played a warm-up match before the first Test in New Zealand.
The Proteas suffered a humiliating innings-and-276-run defeat at Hagley Oval on Saturday with captain Dean Elgar bemoaning a lack of intensity from his team.
Nosworthy, who lived in Christchurch from 2005 to 2008 while coaching Canterbury to three domestic titles, told Sport24 that the conditions could not be used as an excuse for the loss.
“It was a basic error from team management and CSA not to negotiate for a two- or three-day warm-up match because New Zealand is the one cricketing country where you need exposure to the conditions beforehand,” he said. “Personally, I can’t believe the itinerary was signed off without it.”
HIGHLIGHTS: Black Caps vs Proteas (1st Test, Day 3)
Nosworthy said warm-up matches had proven to be “hugely beneficial” to touring teams.
“I’ve seen the stats from all over the world. When a touring team plays a warm-up, they perform much better in that series.
“You’ll also find many of your warm-up games end up with indifferent results, but that’s the point. You want the ‘bad’ outing because you’re still adapting out of the way.
“I know New Zealand’s domestic campaign is still under way, but surely a President’s XI could’ve been assembled to play South Africa.”
