England vs South Africa: 'Mind-blowing', Proteas great Mike Procter impressed by hosts ahead of Test series
FirstpostEngland had won just one of their 17 previous Tests before their new red-ball leadership duo took charge this season. London: South Africa great Mike Procter hopes England’s “mind-blowing” approach to Test cricket under captain Ben Stokes and coach Brendon McCullum is a sign of things to come as they prepare to face his native Proteas in a three-match series. “Watching on television, the way England have played has been mind-blowing, it really is.” An outstanding all-rounder, renowned for both his dynamic fast bowling and aggressive batting, the 75-year-old Procter played in just seven Tests before his international career was cut short by South Africa’s apartheid-enforced exile from the world game. ‘Breath of fresh air’ But having spent a large part of his career playing for Gloucestershire in the hard-nosed environment of 1970s English county cricket, Procter has been struck by England’s efforts to “dilute” the fear of defeat. “South Africa have beaten India, they’ve beaten New Zealand when they batted first on a green-top,” said Procter.