Spin bowling masterclass from Proteas

ANOTHER spin bowling masterclass from South Africa’s slow bowlers saw the Proteas claim a series win against Sri Lanka yesterday that will provide some much-needed confidence ahead of the T20 World Cup.

The spin bowling strategy is not one most rival cricket nations, nor many who follow the Proteas, would associate with them. But in addition to the fast bowling resources, in recent years a stock of spinners has been created, and with the T20 World Cup expected to be played on worn, spin-friendly tracks in the UAE and neighbouring states, Cricket SA and their high performance managers deserve some praise in creating that kind of depth.

Of the 18.1 overs SA bowled at Sri Lanka yesterday, 77% were sent down by spinners. It was another bad day for Kagiso Rabada, who conceded 29 runs in two overs, which was offset by the brilliance of the spinners, with Aiden Markram bowling his full four overs, while stand-in captain Keshav Maharaj only needed to bowl 2.1 overs.

Bjorn Fortuin continued to allay fears about his presence in the squad for the T20 World Cup. Opening the bowling as usual, the left-arm spinner showed excellent control in his single powerplay over, and then returned later to claim two wickets. But Tabraiz Shamsi was the star. Now comfortable in that position, the wrist spinner produced a sublime spell at the Premadasa Stadium that included a lively two-ball battle with the Sri Lankan skipper, Dasun Shanaka to start the 10th over. Shanaka had smashed the first ball of the over for a massive straight six, drawing the now customary stare from the always lively Shamsi. The next ball was slightly quicker and fuller, and spun between Shanaka’s bat and pad, knocking back middle stump.

He produced an even better ball to Chamika Karunaratne, that spun from 30cm outside the right hander’s off-stump, zipped through the gap between bat and pad, and clipped the top of leg-stump. Shamsi finished with 3/20, bowling 13 dot balls, and his value to the SA team continues to grow.

Sri Lanka’s total was woefully inadequate, and openers Quinton de Kock and Reeza Hendricks knocked off nearly half of the target inside the powerplay.

De Kock finished on 57 not out, a 10th T20 international half-century further underlining the excellent form he has been in.