SA bowling coach backs his bowlers

“I know that recently there has been a lot of talk about our inability to take 20 wickets, but I am fully confident that we will do it, especially in South Africa,” Barnes told the Afrikaans daily Beeld.

Barnes was reacting to criticism after his side could only take 13 wickets in the recent series against Pakistan in Dubai.

The Proteas also failed to bowl out visitors England last year in two matches, despite having a full day at hand.

“There was really very little help for the bowlers against Pakistan and to be honest the batting conditions on the pitch in Abu Dhabi were just as good on the fifth day as it was on the first,” Barnes said.

“Conditions will be much more difficult for the batsmen in South Africa,” the coach added.