Captain Faf du Plessis feels a three-match series against India is a daunting way for the Proteas to commence the World Test Championship.

The International Cricket Council introduced the World Test Championship this week. It will start with the Ashes series opener between England and Australia at Edgbaston on Thursday.

The Proteas’ opening participation in the WTC will be in India – for three matches in Visakhapatnam, Ranchi and Pune – between 2 and 19 October.

‘It’s refreshing. We look forward to something new. Any team will say that within a calendar year or so on the circuit, the toughest part of touring is probably playing in India. It’s a tough start to the Championship for us, but everyone is going to have to play in India eventually, so we might as well start there,’ said Du Plessis.

‘You feel like you want to play for something in Test cricket. Especially for the Proteas, there have been some really cracker series that have been played. Now, every series matters over period of two years – with a final at Lord’s.

‘We are a Test team that is very mature and experienced. We are probably a year away from old and experienced heads leaving the game. Right now, we are a team that has a nice blend of really good Test players and experienced players, with two or three young guys that are coming through and will be the future.

‘I think Test cricket is in a really, really healthy state. Guys who play all three formats will say that Test cricket is still the purest form and is still the No 1 format. Test cricket is still the ultimate.’

The Proteas have not won a Test series in India since 2000. Their last Test series in India, four years ago, yielded a three-nil defeat.

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