Duminy not worried by seamers' form

Quinton de Kock's form remained in focus as the South Africans had their first competitive cricket on their tour of India. De Kock was run out for 2 in a match the tourists lost by eight wickets, to put the spotlight on both him and the seamers ahead of Friday's T20 series opener.

The warm-up was de Kock's first appearance for the senior side since he was dropped during the Bangladesh series in July and sent with the A side to prepare for the series. De Kock reeled off three centuries in succession but there was no repeat of that at the Palam ground. JP Duminy, who top-scored with an unbeaten 68, explained time in the middle was an important part of preparation, which can only underline how the absence of it may affect de Kock.

"It's going to be a similar wicket in Dharamsala, maybe with a slightly smaller field so it was good prep - a lot of guys got some batting time which is key in these conditions," Duminy said.

The senior batsmen fared better with AB de Villiers and Faf du Plessis each facing 27 balls for scores of 37 and 42 respectively. Du Plessis retired hurt as a precaution, which CSA called a "means to manage his knee post-injury," to ensure he does not do "too much too soon." Prior to this series du Plessis had been out of action for more than a month.

Before the South Africans look to their bowing, there may also be some lingering concerns over David Miller, who has not scored an international half-century in 15 innings. Miller made just 10 and is beginning to look like the weak link in the middle order, which may open the door for Khaya Zondo to debut.

Then there is the bowling. Kyle Abbott and Kagiso Rabada, the two frontline seamers in the absence of Dale Steyn and Morne Morkel, conceded heavily upfront. Although Marchant de Lange and Chris Morris pulled it back, they were far from economical and struggled to make inroads as the South Africans failed to defend 190 and picked up only two wickets in the process.

Duminy said their performance was not a cause for panic, but a vital learning experience, especially for Rabada, who has not played in India before. "I have full confidence in the ability of our bowlers.. I believe they have what it takes to stop the Indian batting line-up," he said. "Today was one day where it was about figuring out and assessing what will work for us in these conditions. Kyle, Marchant and Chris have bowled here before but it was a new experience for Kagiso. He would have been able to understand what works for him."

South Africa will hope Rabada will do so quickly, as he has thus far, especially as they begin to rely on the reserve bowlers more heavily. On arrival in India, coach Russell Domingo explained that Steyn and Morkel could not be expected to be part of "every practice and every match" across a 72-day tour of India so the second tier would have to step up. Domingo was confident the seamers would be up to the task, even if conditions did not suit them but will want to see them make more incisions than they did in the warm-up match.

South Africa have two more practice sessions before their first match, which will be used to "work on our skills," and to wait for the arrival of more experience in the form of Hashim Amla and Albie Morkel. Amla did not travel with the main group on Saturday and will join the squad on Wednesday, and will be available for Friday's match while Morkel, who was late inclusion after replacing David Wiese, who picked up a hand injury, is still waiting for documentation to clear before he can travel.