Call for more red ball games

South Africa's win against Pakistan in the first Test of two in Centurion on Sunday secured their place in the World Test Championship final at Lord's next June, but the challenge in the coming months will be to find time and opponents to prepare properly for that big match.

- Jacques van der Westhuyzen

Shukri Conrad (above) and his charges will face either Australia, India or Sri Lanka in the final next June. Being adequately prepared for that match though could be a problem as right now the Proteas have only one red ball match scheduled before then – the second Test against Pakistan, starting in Cape Town on Friday.

January, February, March and April next year will see the Proteas' best players involved in white-ball cricket action in the SA20, Tri-series with Pakistan and New Zealand, the ICC Champions Trophy and the Indian Premier League.