Coach Mickey Arthur heads the non-playing XI

Chennai: The South Africans aren’t just aiming big, they’re travelling with a truly jumbo party!

Believe it or not, the 14-man squad (14th member Robin Peterson arrives early on Wednesday) has 11 non-playing members for company!

No wonder somebody from the tour management told The Telegraph, not exactly very light-heartedly, that managing the support staff could often become as “demanding” as managing the players.

The visitors’ non-playing line-up is: Coach: Mickey Arthur; Assistant coach: Vincent Barnes; Manager: L.G.Naidoo; Logistics manager: Goolam Rajah; Video analyst: Hendrik Coertzen; Physio: Shane Jabbar; Trainer: Grant Compton; Doctor: M.A.S. Moosajee; Masseur: Riaan Muller; Media officer: Michael Owen-Smith; Security (close protection) officer: Zunaid Wadee.

Rajah is, of course, a veteran. Players and coaches have come and gone, but he has survived the many shake-ups. In the non-playing 11, therefore, he’s the senior-most pro.

Compton, by the way, has worked with Pakistan. He’d been hand-picked by the late Bob Woolmer.

Team India’s support staff is 8 in number, including part-time physio Paul Close.

Incidentally, left-arm spinner Peterson didn’t come with the rest of the squad, on Saturday, as his “partner” recently gave birth to their first child. He won’t be in contention for the series-launching Test, which will begin within hours of his arrival here.

Footnote: The Indians, meanwhile, could consider fielding five bowlers. If that happens, then specialist Wasim Jaffer won’t open with Virender Sehwag.