Thaindian News

Johannesburg, Dec 9 (IANS) Former South Africa captain Clive Rice finds India a more balanced side than the current Proteas team and has picked the visitors to win the Test series beginning Dec 16.

Rice feels that India’s variety in bowling makes them favourites for the three Test series.

“The Indians have a well-balanced team, with their spinners and fast bowlers who can combine excellently and are a threat on any pitch,” Sport24 quoted Rice as saying.

“With the Indian spinners being so much better than South Africa’s, I believe that could be the difference in the series,” he said.

On the contrary, Rice believes there will be a lot of pressure on South African seamers Dale Steyn and Morne Morkel to take 20 wickets in the match.

“They can take several wickets between them, but it is too much to ask that they should take out India twice in a Test,” said Rice.

He praised the Indian coaching team of Gary Kirsten, Eric Simons and Paddy Upton for contributing in India’s rise to the top of Test cricket.

“Their knowledge of local conditions will play a big role. India will be better prepared than they were before and with Gary’s fantastic management style I believe they should be regarded as the favourites in this series.”

“Under Greg Chappell’s coaching the Indians had much talent, but they were very erratic.”

“Now that Gary is there, he has united them into a tight unit and all the players play to the full extent of their talents on the playing field,” he said.

India are also scheduled to play five One-day Internationals during the South African tour.