Ottis Gibson says a positive brand of cricket is vital to the Proteas’ success in the subcontinent. 

The Proteas prepare for the two-match Test series against Sri Lanka with the first Test starting in Galle on 12 July.

Their preparations were wrapped up in Colombo with a drawn two-day warm-up match against a Sri Lanka Board XI on Sunday.

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Gibson had a perfect start to his coaching tenure, winning eight out of 10 matches in charge including series victories over Bangladesh, India and Australia, and the once-off day-night Test against Zimbabwe.

The two-match Test series against Sri Lanka will be his first trial outside of South Africa as he hunts the No 1 Test ranking.

‘If we are going to win in these conditions we have to be positive and we have to try in most situations to take the positive option,’ Gibson said in Colombo on Sunday.

‘The way Sri Lanka play their cricket, when a batsman comes in they will have fielders close to the bat, which means there are scoring opportunities to be had.

‘You have to be positive and confident enough in your game plan to take on those open spaces in the outfield.

‘If you are going to scratch around and get out, you might as well be positive and try and make some runs while you’re at the crease.

‘That has always been my philosophy, and these conditions here don’t change my feeling on that.’