South Africans gear up for battle

The Proteas, who arrived in the wee hours in Mumbai, reached here by a morning flight and were accommodated in a luxury Hotel on busy Wardha road.

The visitors will commence their short tour with a two-day warm-up game beginning February 2 against the Board President's XI led by Mumbai middle-order batsman Rohit Sharma.

This would be followed by two Tests -- Nagpur (Feb 6-10) and Kolkata (Feb 14-18) -- and three one-dayers in Jaipur (Feb 21), Kanpur (Feb 24) and Ahmedabad (Feb 27).

While the practise match would be held at old Vidarbha Cricket Association (VCA) stadium, the Test will be held at VCA's new stadium in Jamtha, about 15 kms from here.
The Graeme Smith-led squad will have net practise tomorrow followed by a press briefing in the evening.

They are likely to turn up at the old VCA stadium later today for some practise.
The Proteas have come here after controversies over the resignation of coach Mickey Arthur and sacking of selection panel headed by Mike Procter.

Former South African fast bowler Corrie van Zyl has taken over as the interim coach.

Squad: Graeme Smith (Capt), Hashim Amla, Johan Botha, Mark Boucher (wk), AB de Villiers, JP Duminy, Paul Harris, Jacques Kallis, Ryan McLaren, Morne Morkel, Wayne Parnell, Alviro Petersen, Ashwell Prince, Dale Steyn, Lonwabo Tsotsobe. Coach: Corrie van Zyl.