Shamsi and Harmer could have the final say
THE USE of spinners for limited-overs matches at the Wanderers is usually to just break up the rhythm of the batting team but rarely seen as a wicket-taking threat.
That little bit of variety is crucial for any attack and for tonight’s Mzansi Super League playoff the Paarl Rocks and the Jozi Stars have two experienced spinners in their respective sides who have added much value.
Tabraiz Shamsi has been vital for the Rocks as an attacking threat, but also in keeping the opposition batsmen in check. For the Stars, Simon Harmer has performed a similar role, and while he has taken the same number of wickets as Shamsi – 10 – his economy rate is not as good; 7.41 compared to Shamsi’s 6.30.
The left-arm wrist spinner of course has benefited from bowling more often on slower surfaces; either at Boland Park or the other coastal regions. Harmer meanwhile has had to contend with the Wanderers no friend to any bowler – in the limited-overs formats – let alone spinners. Nevertheless the fact that he is going at less than eight runs an over overall in the competition, is a feather in his cap.
The Stars have dispensed with two frontline spinners in their attack for the last two matches at the Wanderers; the defeat to the Rocks and the win against the Tshwane Spartans. Harmer has bowled with excellent control, using subtle changes of pace. Otherwise it has been the quick men who have led the way for the Stars, with the golden arm of Nono Pongolo chipping in frequently.
The balance of the starting team was, Stars coach Enoch Nkwe acknowledged, very much a “horses for courses” approach and at the Wanderers, there is not really a need for a second spinner. “The fact it is a night match also comes into consideration and generally you don’t need more than one spinner at night,” Nkwe said.
Quite how the rest of the line-up will look will be down to the conditions and who the Stars think will pose a bigger threat to the Rocks. They have not been afraid to drop an allrounder, as was the case on Tuesday with Dwaine Pretorius, and sacrifice batting depth, if it means they have more quicks at their disposal.
It’s a similar policy that was adopted by the Rocks, for whom Shamsi produced an excellent spell last Sunday of 1/19 in four overs when the Paarl team left the Wanderers with a win.
The two teams match up well, although the Stars have an edge with their fast bowlers who are more experienced. If the Rocks execute as well with the ball as they did last Sunday, then as they showed on that occasion, they are capable of winning. It could even come down to those two very good spinners on either side as to who earns the right to fly to Cape Town to face Cape Town Blitz in the final on Sunday.