Markram: South Africa Squad Simulated Spin Conditions Ahead of Pakistan Tour

With South Africa preparing to defend their World Test Championship title in Pakistan, stand‑in skipper Aiden Markram says the squad has focused heavily on spin preparation, even simulating turning tracks during camp in Pretoria.

Markram acknowledged that as the home side, Pakistan have the advantage of curating surfaces that favour their strengths. “If it’s your home game, you can pretty much prepare whatever wicket you’d like,” he said ahead of the team’s departure. “Ultimately, if conditions become extreme, it will be difficult for both teams from a batting point of view. Our job is to be comfortable with what we have, whatever the conditions, and back whoever does the job on the day.”

During a two‑day training camp at the High Performance Centre in Pretoria, South Africa prepared three specially made pitches. Two were designed to spin sharply, and one was a “middle” strip with more moderate assistance. Markram admitted it is difficult to replicate the kind of bowler‑friendly surfaces found in the subcontinent — “having the ball squat low is not always easy on the Highveld” — but said the squad tried to “tick all the boxes.”

The spin emphasis is reflected in South Africa’s squad selection: they have included left‑arm spinner Senuran Muthusamy and off‑spinners Simon Harmer and Prenelan Subrayen, each offering distinct styles. “You don’t really want similar types of spinners,” Markram said. “They are each quite different — different paces, different spin and trajectory — which react differently on the wickets. They’ll play a massive role for us if what we’re expecting is going to be the case.”

Notably, South Africa’s regular spinner Keshav Maharaj will join only from the second Test onward. In the meantime, Markram and his backroom staff must also cover for regular captain Temba Bavuma, who is sidelined with a calf injury. Markram will lead, and the squad also features batting options like Dewald Brevis, Zubayr Hamza, and Tony de Zorzi to absorb Bavuma’s slot in the order.

The Proteas begin their tour in Lahore, with the first Test to be followed by a second in Rawalpindi, where spin-friendly surfaces are anticipated. Reuters notes that South Africa have already been practicing on “specially prepared spinning wickets” at their training facility.