It’s time for Dewald Brevis to step up and show his Test mettle against India
Dewald Brevis faces a crucial Test challenge against India, where balancing his aggressive style with patience could solidify his future in the Proteas’ long-format plans. Picture: Aamir Qureshi/AFP
Image: Aamir Qureshi/AFP
While Dewald Brevis has established himself as an important player for the Proteas in limited overs formats, it’s in Test cricket which the 22-year-old would desperately like to perform.
With the first Test against India at Eden Gardens starting on Friday, this clash could determine (if he’s picked) whether or not the youngster remains part of the Proteas’ plans for the immediate future in the longest format of the game.
Though Brevis made a good start to his Test career with 51 on debut, it was against Zimbabwe and he still needed to prove himself against top opposition.
Brevis was selected for the Pakistan two-match Test series last month, and again he managed a fifty with his score of 54 in the second innings.
Brevis’s Test Cricket Challenge: Balancing Aggression with Patience Against India
However, he followed that with a duck in the second Test and he did not get to bat in the second dig.
One can point to the fact that he has already managed two half-centuries in his first four Tests and that should be seen as a good return.
There’s just one problem though, the attributes that make him an excellent limited overs batsman are so far limiting the prodigy in Test cricket. He seems to have only one gear, and is far too attacking in Test cricket.
While positive intent is generally a good thing in Tests, so far it seems like Brevis has not been able to dial his aggressive strokeplay back.
It means he is a prime target if there is movement off the pitch, or most likely against India there is turn in the surface.
Proteas coach Shukri Conrad is known for backing his players, and in Brevis there are few bigger talents.
If Brevis wants to contribute against India though, he may just have to show a little more patience and the results could be worth waiting for.
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