It’s up to the Loan Ranger to spin a web of intrigue

PROTEAS spin wizard Tabraiz Shamsi has been roped in as a secret weapon by the Warriors for their Sunfoil Series fixture against the Cape Cobras starting at St George’s Park today.

Shamsi, who is strangely surplus to needs at his home base in Centurion, will join the Eastern Cape franchise on loan from the Titans for this match.

The left-arm unorthodox spinner has a wealth of experience that he brings to the Warriors’ ranks.

He has 277 first-class scalps to his name at an impressive average of 25.57.

He also recently played eight internationals for South Africa across all three formats of the game.

“Tabraiz is on loan from the Titans as a specialist spin option. In our conditions, spin plays a big part in the back end of a game,” said coach Malibongwe Maketa.

There was a noticeable skip in the step of the Warriors players at training yesterday as they rounded off their final preparations for the Cobras game.

Jon-Jon Smuts’ team are on the back of a dominant display against the Lions in their opening fixture last week.

They did everything over the four days but win the game – and this weekend they are looking to seal the deal.

“We played really good cricket throughout the four days at the Wanderers. I think we pretty much dominated for four days,” said Smuts yesterday.

“It was nice to throw the first punch on day one with our 180-run opening partnership.

“We batted and bowled well but the pitch just didn’t deteriorate the way we thought it would.

“We are now looking forward to the game here at St George’s, our record is very good here.

“We are playing against a tough side in the Cobras. We all know they’ve also had a few disappointing results over the past few years.

“It’s a big game for us and for them,” said Smuts, who scored a first innings hundred against the Lions last week.

Smuts was impressed with how the squad members fronted up in the absence of Kolpak players Colin Ackermann, Colin Ingram and Simon Harmer, who are still on duty for their counties in England.

“The big emphasis this season is that we are a squad. We are not a few players. As a squad, you put performances in and you win trophies. Not as individuals.

“Even the guys here now who are missing out are as important to me. I look forward to some other guys putting their hands up in this game starting tomorrow,” said Smuts.

The Warriors will be without the in-form David White, whose bad luck with finger injuries continues to plague him.

“It’s big loss for Dave and for us. He’s starting to find his feet again after about three years ago when he had an unbelievable season in fourday cricket. So it’s a big loss for him but such is sport with injuries,” said the skipper.

Smuts said he was enjoying the challenge of putting in more overs in red ball cricket as a spinner.

“It’s quite tough. I’m lucky that it’s early season so that the seamers can do quite a bit of work. But I’ve always enjoyed bowling in all formats. I enjoy four-day cricket as well. It’s a bit more of a challenge. I can’t just contain the guy I’ve actually got to get him out,” he said.

He will probably have to play second to Shamsi this weekend though. The squads are: Warriors: Andrew Birch, Tladi Bokako, Gihahn Cloete, Clyde Fortuin, Matthew Breetzke, Sisanda Magala, Eddie Moore, Lesiba Ngoepe, Anrich Nortje, Jerry Nqolo, Lutho Sipamla, Tabraiz Shamsi, Jon-Jon Smuts (capt), Yaseen Vallie.

Cobras: Dane Piedt (capt) Dayyaan Galiem, Zubayr Hamza, Simon Khomari, Pieter Malan, Aviwe Mgijima, Tshepo Moreki, Justin Ontong, Dane Paterson, Andrew Puttick, Jason Smith, Kyle Verreynne, Lizaad Williams.