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South Africa’s acting captain Ashwell Prince has forecast spinners will have to play defensive roles only in the first Test at the WACA next week.
South Africa lost to Western Australia in a one-day tour match at the WACA on Thursday with left-arm spinner Robin Peterson taking some punishment in his 1-73 from 10 overs.
Peterson claimed the wicket of acting Western Australia captain Adam Voges for 87 in his seventh over but only after conceding 6-4-4-4-4 from the preceding five deliveries.
“Robin tried to bowl a little bit more attacking. On this pitch the spinners will be (playing) a more defensive type of role,” Prince said.
“It will be hard to have three or four guys around the bat on this pitch and expect miracles from a spinner.
“If it plays like it did today, it will be very hard for the spinners.”
Prince’s view is bad news for Australia’s Jason Krejza, who has been named in a 12-man squad and had appeared set to win a place in the side ahead of all-rounder Shane Watson.
The ultra-attacking Krejza took 12-358 on debut in India last month.
Krejza has already been on the receiving end of some sledging from the South African camp, with batsman AB de Villiers saying the Tasmanian off-spinner is “nothing too special that we’ve got to worry about”.
The Proteas are hoping their frontline spinner Paul Harris has recovered from a thumb injury in time to play in the two-day game against a Western Australia Second XI which starts on Friday.
Prince and South Africa’s regular skipper Graeme Smith have already forecast a defensive role for Harris.
South Africa batsman Hashim Amla, who made an unbeaten 105 on Thursday, said the wicket offered little assistance to the spinners.
“When I got in, it wasn’t doing a hell of a lot. So I thought … I would try to be positive,” he said.
“It gives me a lot of confidence.
“I am very happy that I got the benefit of that. As much time you get in the middle in foreign conditions is certainly beneficial for the Test matches to come.
“The wicket really didn’t assist the spin too much. The ball just seems to skid on.”
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