Russell Domingo to stick to seven batsmen in Tests against India

South Africa coach Russell Domingo today indicated that he would prefer to continue with seven batsmen in the playing eleven against India in the upcoming two-match Test series. South Africa on Monday made no changes to their Test squad for the series against India, retaining the 15 who drew the away series against Pakistan 1-1 in the United Arab Emirates in October.

Domingo said it was unlikely any major alterations would be made to their starting XI for the first Test against India at the Wanderers, Johannesburg on December 18.

"I'd like to think the side's been successful with the seven batter strategy and I'd probably like to continue that," he said.

"It's still early in Test tenureship to want to make too many wholesale changes to what's worked really well over the last period of time, so as far as I'm concerned, I'd like to continue that way." Domingo said he has little choice but to stick with the same group of players which drew with Pakistan.

"We had not played a Test match before the UAE for about six months, so after just having two games there, it's very difficult to make too many changes," Domingo said.

"The test side is pretty easy select -- it's been performing well for a long period of time now, so I don't think there's too many surprises or too many tough decisions to make for that group," he was quoted as saying by the South African media.

South Africa have already clinched the one-day series after taking an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match contest and Domingo said his side's strategy of attacking the Indians with their fast-bowling arsenal paid dividends.

"We spoke at the beginning of the one-day series that we want to put doubt in their mind in terms of the way they play pace. They've always had issues playing pace in South Africa and that's what their history shows," Domingo said.

"It's a South African strength, it's the way we're brought up playing cricket, it's in our DNA. So it's an important aspect for us having a four-pronged pace attack against India in our conditions.

"I don't know what's going on in their minds, but our seamers have bowled we'll hope to continue that way."