Ken Borland

The Proteas have arrived in Zimbabwe as world Test champions ahead of their two-match series starting on Saturday, with all-rounder Wiaan Mulder saying the team enjoys a new, deeper bond after Lord’s, but it is something that the newcomers in the squad can also find welcoming.

Only six of the 14-man South Africa squad for the two Tests in Bulawayo were at Lord’s for the epic victory over Australia.

“It was the biggest Test win of our lives, so we had awesome celebrations with each other and our sponsors, before returning to our families and the people that mean the most to us. That reset was important because the World Test Championship final was an extremely high high, it was all a bit of a blur, there was so much adrenaline and I hardly slept for 10 days,” Mulder said this week.

“So to spend a couple of days at home was very important for us to come back to reality. We were treated like royalty before, but that’s not real life. Going from Lord’s, the home of cricket and all the history and tradition, to Bulawayo, I guess will make quite a difference too.

“It’s a new squad with a lot of guys wanting to prove a point, guys who have played so well domestically over the last couple of seasons to get here. So we’re not going to think too much about what happened in the WTC.

“But there’s a spirit in the squad that I’ve not seen before, to be honest. The big difference is our self-image, we now believe. I don’t think we always did believe we could beat the big teams, and there were lots of big moments that made us sore.

“There’s now a very big belief that we can reach those heights again and the young guys coming in believe that too. And we will continue doing it our way. But we’re not being arrogant because we know that we must still put our best foot forward on every ball.

“We’ve had those conversations already, that no matter what team is representing the Proteas, it will be the best team available at that time and we are the world champions. So we will train like we are the best in the world, we won’t be taking any steps back and we want to keep showing the character that means we keep coming back.

“Obviously some of the guys need some rest, but that provides an opportunity for someone else and we will still be pushing the bar as much as we can,” Mulder said.

The 27-year-old said he also wants to build a relationship with his new spot in the batting order – at number three. Things went poorly there for Mulder in the first innings at Lord’s as he came to the crease at the end of the first over, and struggled to 6 off 44 balls in a torrid test for any top-order batsman, let alone a makeshift one.

But he certainly showed mental steel in the second innings as he ensured he did not get ‘stuck’, moving fluently to 27 and helping Aiden Markram lay a crucial solid foundation up top as they added 61 for the second wicket.

“I wouldn’t say I was thrown in the deep end because I always see myself as a batsman. I think I have spent a lot of my career hiding behind wanting to be more of a bowler. I loved getting a chance at three and hopefully I can make it work because it balances the team nicely and I believe I can play in many different situations.

“I hope [coach] Shukri Conrad’s thinking stays the same, but I need to get runs wherever I bat. I’ve had a lot of ups and downs in my career and I don’t think I’ve done as well as I can or as well as Shukri thinks I can.

“But I will give everything I can because batting at three could just be a temporary thing. But hopefully I can fill that role through to the next WTC final. I’ve worked very hard technically on being able to manage the new ball and score runs. The final was only the second time I’ve batted there in Test cricket without a broken hand and I learned a lot.

“I want to be positive and show good intent. The first innings taught me that I need to get into positions to transfer the pressure, that is more important than just trying to survive. It’s important that I have the mindset of looking to score, that’s when I’m at my best and I did that more in the second innings.

“I’m still figuring it out; some people will say that means I’ve been thrown in the deep end, but others would say that’s the best place to learn because you get proof of whether what you’re trying to do will work,” Mulder said.

In terms of his bowling, the right-arm seamer acknowledges that it will take something of a miracle for him to keep up his bowling loads if he becomes settled at number three in the batting line-up.

“Every day I’m trying to work out how I’m going to manage the batting and the bowling, to still be able to bowl 15 overs in a day and bat number three – it’s finding that balance. Few people have been able to do that, even the King, Jacques Kallis, didn’t bowl as many overs when he batted number three.

“But I will always be the fourth bowler, which gives me a chance to step back a bit. That’s the planning at the moment and hopefully I make it very difficult for them to move me back to number seven. I’m 27 now and I really want to put my best foot forward,” Mulder said.

Helping the Central Gauteng Lions star produce his best in Zimbabwe will be stand-in captain Keshav Maharaj, who Mulder says has been a tremendous inspiration for him in his Proteas career.

“Keshav is someone I have really looked up to, since the beginning of my career. Before my first first-class game, he messaged me to congratulate me. He didn’t know me at all, but he reached out and that says it all about him as a person, I so admire him.

“He’s probably our best spinner ever, he knows exactly where each ball needs to go, he’s very calculating and he’s very caring. He’s been my captain at Durban Super Giants and his understanding of the game is very good.

“I tended to focus too much on what was happening in my head, but Keshav has been able to get me more in a routine and doing the things that give you success over a long period.

“I think he’ll be very proud captaining South Africa in a Test match for the first time, it’s been one of his aspirations because it’s the pinnacle of the game. I think he’s going to be a great captain and maybe it will open a door for him because who knows how long Temba Bavuma is going to be around?” Mulder said.