Is sledging dead? Not quite, says Proteas assistant coach Ashwell Prince

Test matches may be played in more amicable conditions nowadays, but that does not mean the "spice" has completely disappeared from the game, according to Proteas assistant coach Ashwell Prince ahead of the first of three upcoming Tests between South Africa and Australia. Prince is confident that Test cricket's competitive nature will still prevail, even if interactions between players have become less intense than in the past.

Prince played during the era when teams went hard at each other in the middle, and he believes the change can be attributed to the growth of T20 cricket worldwide and increased sharing of change-rooms among players. He acknowledges that players from all over now share dressing rooms and are more like "big buddies." Prince believes that this camaraderie may be the reason for the milder interactions between rivals, but he clarifies that this friendly atmosphere does not last when it comes to a crucial Test match where victory is paramount.

Despite the South African bowling attack featuring experienced players like Allan Donald, Mark Boucher, and Dale Steyn, Prince is certain that Australia will remain a formidable opponent, even with the team going through a transitional phase in their batting. He emphasizes that Test cricket is difficult and playing against Australia is particularly challenging, regardless of whether they are at home or away.

Prince also acknowledges the aggressive mentality and approach Australian cricket possesses, which can be quite intimidating when they take control of the game.