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Durban – The Kingsmead ticket machine for the first test between Proteas and the Sri Lanka was interesting.
While Proteas fast bowlers under the direction of coach Ottis Gibson have spun the strings on spicy and unpredictable players in the past 18 months, the slowness of this Durban wicket has left the likes of Dale Steyn, Vernon Philander, Kagiso Rabada and Duanne Olivier have to do a little more to win their scalps.
There was always 33 the wickets in just three days and South Africa is on track to do the job on Saturday, but the difference is notable and has been highlighted by the strong resistance of the lower Sri Lankan order in its first rounds.
The change was particularly visible at Olivier.
After having taken 24 the wickets in a man of the series performing in three tries against Pakistan in December and January, Olivier has already picked up two wickets (1/36 and 1/3) in Durban.
Despite the slowness of the wicket, the 26-year-old has not changed his approach and continues to favor short-range bombardment against the Lankans.
Make no mistake, the drummers are far from comfortable with him, but it's clear that Olivier does not get the help that he's had at all. long fight against Pakistan.
With Rabada, Steyn and Philander offering all their own skills, Olivier confirmed after the game on Friday that his role in the attack was still that of "reinforcement", despite the conditions.
"It's still similar, and my role is to be relentless – I just need to be patient," he said.
"This window is very different from what we had against Pakistan, but we just have to stick to the base.
"This is not a box office where we can just blow up teams.If we do the right things again and again, I think we will be rewarded in the end."
On Thursday, Olivier was forced to wait for his opportunity as Steyn threw 10 laps at a trot as he ripped the visitors.
The Proteas are also proud of the # 1 cricket test bowler in Rabada, while Philander is considered one of the best new breeders in the format in recent years.
This means that Olivier often spends long periods watching his more experienced and pedigreed teammates in action.
"They have been doing it for so many years. It was really good to see Dale play 10 trotting points. I can badume his body was a bit stiff this morning, but he deserves all the credit and he played really well, "Olivier said.
"As a bowling unit, we stuck to our weapons and we were rewarded by the end of the day."
Sri Lanka will resume Saturday morning – day four – requiring another 221 points for the win with seven wickets remaining.
Spinner Keshav Maharaj should play an important role, but Olivier will be desperate to get his hands on the ball and have a say.
The game starts at 10:00.
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