Shamsi’s chinaman can make life challenging for the Sri Lankans, says Ottis

PROTEAS coach Ottis Gibson expressed general satisfaction after his team’s twoday workout against the Sri Lankan Board XI on Colombo over the weekend.

“I think, for the most part, we got what we wanted. I though we bowled very well. (on Saturday). I think it is about getting used to conditions at this stage, and we knew that the wicket was going to be slow. This was about getting miles into the bowlers legs,” he explained to local reporters in the Sri Lankan capital.

There is a very short build-up to what is a big series for the Proteas, with the first Test starting in Galle on Thursday. Half of Gibson’s bowling stocks have never played in Sri Lanka before, so the past few days have been worthwhile in that sense.

“Vernon and Dale have played here before, but this is new for Lungi (Ngidi) and (Kagiso) Rabada. It’s good for them to see what it’s like,” Gibson, (pictured) said.

“It is not like Jo’burg, where it’s flying through to the slips.

“Sometimes it might bounce twice before it gets to the keeper here.”

There is also the small matter of a few of his stars making their first steps back onto the field after injury lay-offs.

“Obviously KG is coming back from injury, Dale (Steyn) was in England, and Vern (Philander) has had some time out of the game. I thought (Tabraiz) Shamsi was excellent, and really hit the ground running. He has really put himself in the frame for a Test place,” Gibson noted of his wrist-spinner.

Shamsi helped himself to figures of five for 45 in 13.2 overs on Saturday, taking advantage of Keshav Maharaj’s absence through sickness.

“Keshav has been sick, but over the last year or so, he has been a world-class performer for us, at home and in Australia and England. So he has not had much experience in sub-continent conditions, where he would get a lot of help,” Gibson pointed out.

Shamsi and Shaun von Berg both got chances in the middle, but it was the left-armer who grabbed it with both hands. With Galle expected to be dry, he has given Gibson and company some food for thought.

“It was good to see Shamsi and Von Berg get a run out. With his chinaman, Shamsi can be an interesting challenge for the Sri Lankans.

We have covered all bases with the team we have picked. But we have to get to Galle and see what surface we get,” Gibson explained when asked if Shamsi had bowled himself into contention.

His batters also gave him reason to be enthused, with half-centuries for Hashim Amla, Temba Bavuma and skipper Faf du Plessis.

More than that, the scoring was at a healthy rate, playing the kind of positive cricket that Gibson prefers.

“Temba had an opportunity at four, and played really well.

“He is one of our best players of spin, and he can do really well in these conditions,” Gibson added of the number four option.

“We made a conscious decision that everyone was going to get a hit, and Hashim retired, let the other guys have a hit.

“I was a bit disappointed that the lower-order didn’t take the chance to spend some time in the middle, but we have had a really good week so far,” he concluded.

Of his returning veteran, Gibson was most pleased. Steyn remains a vital part of the attack. He bowled 12 overs, and then enjoyed a brief cameo with the bat, which he thrives on.

“I am happy with where Dale is at. He has been in England for the last month, and he looked a bit rusty, to be honest.

“But we are talking about one of the best fast bowlers of the modern generation. He will be good to go by the time the Galle Test match comes around.”