X-men set to shine in vital ODI series
Parnell has chance to nail all-rounder spot while Zampa turns heads
THERE are plenty of worldclass players in the South African and Australian squads for the ODI series which starts in Pretoria tomorrow, but there are also some who could move up a notch or two in the five games ahead. Cricket writer takes a look at four of them. THE X-MEN Wayne Parnell ODIs: 52 Runs: 406 Ave: 21.36 50s: 1 Wickets:72 BB: 5/48 5.58 5w:2 Ave: 21.36 Ave: HS: 56 29.94 Eco: THE socialite of the Proteas team with his hip style of dressing, blogger wife and witty tweets, the time has come for @Parnyboy_7 to be more substance than style. Having been a constant traveller with the national team for the past seven years without cementing a regular place, this five-match series is the prime opportunity for Parnell to be the No 1 all-rounder in the ODI team due to Chris Morris’s injury.
Since being selected while still a teenager back in 2009, Parnell has always had the natural talent to be successful at international level. He has the advantage of being a left-arm swing bowler who delivers the ball at pace, which can trouble even the most destructive of batsmen, as Aussie vice-captain David Warner found out in the Caribbean when Parnell knocked him over in Guyana. With the bat he also has the ability to be destructive as he has shown countless times on the domestic circuit, especially last season in a dream first season with the Cape Cobras. An incisive burst with the new ball from Parnell can change the course of a game within a few deliveries and that is what his captain Faf du Plessis will be looking for from his premier all-rounder. Tabraiz Shamsi ODIs: 2 Wickets: 3 BB: 2/41 Ave: 25.66 Eco: 4.52 THERE’S no doubt that Imran Tahir is the No 1 spinner in the Proteas ODI line-up, and arguably in the world in limited-overs cricket, but Shamsi is certainly a glimpse into the future for the Proteas. Having wanted a “mystery bowler” since the days of Paul Adams, to rival the likes of Sunil Narine, Ajantha Mendis and Ravichandran Ashwin, the young Chinaman bowler from the Titans certainly provides the Proteas with something different. Shamsi’s most impressive attribute is his “no fear” attitude as he ruthlessly goes in search of wickets, even if that means leaking runs some times.
An aggressive character in the field too, sometimes even crossing the line like he did when fined on the recent South Africa A tour, he will certainly not stand back for the Aussies after already having had a taste of Steve Smith’s side during the Caribbean ODI triangular during the winter. South Africa’s selection panel would be well advised to select Shamsi in tandem with Tahir for they have the ability to confound the Aussies just like the Sri Lankans did recently. Usman Khawaja ODIs: 15 Runs: 413 SR: 86.04 50s: 2 HS: 98 Ave: 34.41 THE stylish left-hander is fortunate to be on this trip after initially having been left out of the Australian touring party due to his struggles on the trip to Sri Lanka. An injury to Shaun Marsh, though, opened the door for Khawaja’s recall and he will certainly be more comfortable on the South African pitches, which are similar to the conditions back home, where he was so prolific last summer when he struck four Test centuries and averaged a Bradmanesque 172.50 in the Big Bash League.
The ease with which he has always played off the back foot square of the wicket has now been married with the soul-destroying ability to find the gap through the covers almost at will, and he’s better off his pads too.
Khawaja doesn’t look to over-elaborate; he simply backs his hands and good hand-eye co-ordination. Already this week against Ireland in Benoni the delightful touch which eluded him on the sub-continent was back as he compiled a ALSO INSIDE: classy unbeaten 82.
And if the Aussie convener of selectors Rod Marsh and his panel do opt for the 29-year-old in the series opener against the Proteas at Centurion tomorrow, they can be assured they will be getting a batsman hungry to remind them of his undoubted worth at international level. Adam Zampa ODIs: 13 Wickets: 25 BB: 3/16 Ave: 22 Eco: 4.84 THE Aussies must rate Zampa highly if they are considering playing the young leg-spinner considering Michael Clarke’s team won the World Cup without a specialist spinner throughout their successful campaign on home soil last year.
The 24-year-old is certainly turning heads almost as much as he is ripping his leg-breaks and he will look to continue his upward curve here in South Africa. Another BBL graduate, Zampa is not a big turner of a ball like the legendary Shane Warne (although there are often comparisons), but instead relies on subtle changes of pace, good use of the crease, and his variations to deceive.
New batsmen in should be wary of Zampa as he is not easy “to pick” initially, as indicated by his record-breaking haul of 6/19 in last season’s Indian Premier League. Like Khawaja, he has already shown that he enjoys the conditions in South Africa – he cleaned up the Irish with 3/37 at Willowmoore Park.