AB de Villiers’s retirement left a massive hole in the South African line-up which was felt when ICC number two-ranked Test team was bulldozed by Sri Lanka in two-match Test series 2-0.
AB de Villiers was a fantastic player of spin in the middle order and equally apt in rotating the strike and hitting big sixes at will. His absence was like a soul taken from the body.
Given his popularity, numbers, and fear he generated in the minds of fast bowlers, that genuinely is the case. But while the Proteas star-studded line-up is fading away one by one, with Dale Steyn injured and Hashim Amla out of form, the same can’t be said about the spin.
South Africa rested Imran Tahir from the Sri Lankan ODI series to judge who is likely to be punching his tickets as the second spinner for the ICC World Cup 2019.
Tabraiz Shamsi, left-arm chinaman bowler, who has for long impressed in the white-ball cricket, has performed well, picking up six wickets in three ODIs played so far.
Shamsi picked wickets when the opposition was looking to take away the game. In first ODI when Thisara Perera and Kusal Perera launched the counter-attack on Proteas, Shamsi came in and broke the partnership, and he again made the strike when Kusal and Akhil Dananjaya got going before getting final two scalps.
(AP Photo/Themba Hadebe)
The Proteas should be encouraged by Shamsi’s performance and by Kuldeep Yadav bamboozling the England line-up in their backyard. South Africa have unearthed a lethal weapon that could turn the game around for them should when they come up against a strong side like England in the World Cup.
The stats in the past year clearly show that wrist spinners are calling the shots, be it in 50-over or T20 cricket.
Imran Tahir seems to be enjoying his stint in country cricket as he is the joint-leading wicket-taker in the tournament with 15 wickets at an average of just 13.53 and an economy rate of 6.34. Tahir’s experience gives him much-needed exposure to English soil as the Proteas are playing 18 ODIs from now until next year’s World Cup without a game in the UK. Tahir is still the Proteas number one spinner as Shamsi thrives.
Another option is Keshav Maharaj, the left-arm spinner who has taken 90 wickets in the 22 Tests he has played so far, inlcuding impressive performances in New Zealand, South Africa, Australia, Sri Lanka and England. He did well with the limited opportunity he got in the series against England before the Champions Trophy, picking up four wickets in two ODIs with a best of 25/3 at Lord’s.
Keshav’s rich experience in the truest format of the game against top-quality opposition makes him another invaluable option, and his batting abilities add muscle to his selection in the ODI team, where multiskilled players are valued more.
But should Tahir come back and show the selectors why he was number one-ranked ODI bowler, it’s unlikely management will look beyond him, but certainly the depth of South Africa’s spin stock isn’t something anyone had spoken of over the course of last 26 years.
Paul
Roar Guru
really enjoyed your comments, JN. Thanks very much for this explanation.
Paul
Roar Guru
No they don't become favourites, they become one of the chances to win, which of course, the always were. The ICC ODI ratings probably has it pretty right at this stage; England as favorites, closely followed by India, SA and NZ, with little between these 4 teams.
Just Nuisance
Guest
I will send my invoice to CSA . But more seriously ...the previous CEO of CSA was a Jewish doctor ....Dr Bacher . He was a close friend of Nelson Mandela . He embraced the concept that sport has the power to change the world. Cricket in my strange and wonderful country is doing just that.
Saurebh Gandle
Roar Guru
That's some information.
Saurebh Gandle
Roar Guru
If batting unit clicks then South Africa from being a team with outside chance to firm favorite for the next year World Cup.
Just Nuisance
Guest
This is quite a fascinating discussion . The reason why SA are now producing not just quality spinners but also world class black quicks warrants examination. 30 odd years ago with the advent of multiparty democracy in SA , the then United Cicket Board put policy and structures in place with the primary focus being on development of the game . Today thousands of school teachers mostly women have been trained as coaches in townships and remote rural areas. Regional hubs have been set up with a full time director of cricket running their area. Where a field or facility is required , this is identified and provided. Mini cricket is exploding and a typical KFC junior day attracts thousands of budding young cricketers . When an Ngidi emerges the son of domestic servants he is secured a scholarship at an elite school and gets entry into an academy. It is a clear pathway for these kids. Then there is the " Indian" factor. .....SA has the largest Indian community in the world outside of India. Their heroes are not just the AB de Villiers and Dale Steyns , they are also the Kumble's , the Ashwins etc. With the structures , coaching and opportunities now available it is inevitable that spin will thrive . SA cricket is the best managed sport in this country and has much to be proud of.
Saurebh Gandle
Roar Guru
If you look at SA-SL series you know how good their batting form is.
Tanmoy KarAs
Guest
As far as bowling is concerned, South Africans are a very good unit both in terms of pace and spin. But after the retirement of DeVilliers and the poor form of Amla their batting lineup has become weak considerably.
Paul
Roar Guru
SA hasn't needed to worry too much about spinners with the quality of quicks they've produced over the past 26 years. It's good to see these guys coming through and persisting with their craft, even when the team is still a pace heavy unit. As you suggest, they seem to have some quality spinners for next years WC.