Weekend Argus (Saturday Edition)
Proteas: Have you heard what Langer has to say?
It will take time for Australia to play Shamsi ‘like the chinaman he is’
WHEN former Test opener Justin Langer opens his mouth you would be advised to listen carefully, whether you’re a member of the Australian team or even part of the Proteas squad.
The gritty Langer, now 45, played 105 Tests for the Baggy Greens from 1993 to 2007 and formed one of the great opening batting partnerships with fellow left- hander Matthew Hayden (1994-2009).
Langer, who is Australia’s acting head coach for the TriNation series in the Caribbean, scored 23 hundreds and compiled 7 696 runs at 45.27, which is more than decent for an opener at the highest level.
The Western Australian yesterday reflected on the tour to date, and his comments would have been of interest to the South Africans as well as his charges ahead their ODI tonight at the Warner Stadium in St Kitts (7pm start, SA time).
His criticism of his own players following their defeat to the Proteas in Guyana this week would have relevance for South Africa after their defeat against the West Indies.
“We weren’t as patient as we needed to be. I said before the game that if it takes 50 overs to get the runs, then we must allow for that,” he said. “We’ve talked about adapting to the conditions, we’ve talked about partnerships and looking after each other, and we didn’t do any of those things particularly well the other night.”
Langer said all international players had to adapt their games to account for different situations. “The great players adapt to different environments, conditions, oppositions and formats,” he added.
Langer also said he expected the conditions today to be subtly different to the lower and slower turning pitches of Guyana. “Look, there’s not much grass on it, so it’s hardly the first day’s play at the Gabba,” he quipped.
“It’s typical of what we see in the West Indies, but it feels harder than the surface in Guyana, so it might skid on a bit faster for the quicks.
“And judging by the nets we’ve played in, it doesn’t feel like the ball will turn as much.”
Langer also noted that the short straight boundary at St Kitts would be a “temptation” for all the batsmen. He also complimented new Proteas leftarm spinner, Tabraiz Shamsi, who showed up promisingly on debut against the men from Down Under in midweek.
“I read a headline that said: ‘ The South African Hoggie’ (Brad Hogg) and he’s got the same sort of energy. I know from personal experience how beneficial it is to have someone like Hoggie in your team,” Langer said.
“We’ll take a little time to get used to him (Shamsi), as we did with Paul Adams but when we do, we’ll hopefully play him like the left- arm chinaman bowler that he is.”
Langer said that he may continue to choose two spinners – Nathan Lyon and Adam Zampa – for St Kitts. But it’s likely that Proteas head coach Russell Domingo and selection convener Linda Zondi will have to choose either Aaron Phangiso or Shamsi to partner Imran Tahir, as all-rounder Chris Morris is set to make his return to the lineup.
Meanwhile, a fit-again Faf du Plessis should fill the gap in the batting order left by the injured Rilee Rossouw, But if Du Plessis is still not ready, Rossouw’s replacement, Dean Elgar, should start. Likely Proteas XI: Hashim Amla, Quinton de Kock, Faf du Plessis, AB de Villiers (capt), JP Duminy, Farhaan Behardien, Chris Morris, Wayne Parnell, Kagiso Rabada, Aaron Phangiso, Imran Tahir.