Spin depth sharpens SA’s attack options

SOUTH Africa’s spin culture has changed drastically since the days when the Proteas tried to persude Claude Henderson to rescind his Kolpak contract with English County Championship side Leicestershire to come and play for the national team, due to the lack of resources back home.

A decade later, though, Henderson now forms an integral part of the spin revolution that is currently engulfing the land as the Proteas spin bowling coach.

He shares his “excitement” at the progress made in an area that has traditionally been an Achilles’ heel of South African cricket, and how he marvels at the skill of Imran Tahir and energy levels of youngsters like Tabraiz Shamsi ahead of the Proteas Tri-Series ODI clash against world champions Australia in Barbados today.

1. Imran Tahir broke all sorts of records in St Kitts mid-week against the West Indies. How do you rate him as a spinner?

CLAUDE HENDERSON: Imran Tahir, in my opinion, has shown why he is the No 1 ODI bowler in world cricket. He has got great variation, he takes wickets and can bowl on any surface, especially when the wickets don’t spin. That is when he is very dangerous.

2. The dynamic of South Africa’s attack has changed dramatically during this Tri-Series, with the Proteas playing two spinners, and even three on occasion, in every game. How has this come about?

CH: We are very fortunate to have a great mixture of spin bowling, with the two leg-spinners – one right arm and the other left. Tabraiz Shamsi has come in as a newcomer and gives us the variation with his chinaman and wrong ’uns. We also have the orthodox left-arm spin of Aaron Phangiso and of course the all-round talents of JP Duminy, who can also offer you some off-spinners. I suppose the challenge in the West Indies is that some of the grounds are a bit small, so I think the extra variation is key.

3. Just a few months ago Aaron Phangiso was at the crossroads of his international career due to being reported for an illegal action. He’s turned that misfortune around dramatically and is now arguably in the form of his life…

CH: Phangi went through a tough time changing his action before the T20 World Cup. I still can’t believe how he did it in four days. These things normally take two to three months. He bowled beautifully against the West Indies in Guyana, it was unfortunate that we lost that game. I had a week with Phangi in India and he’s in a good space. He is a crafty left-arm spinner, he has a lot of experience, shows great control, understands the conditions, fits in the unit and does what the captain asks of him. It’s always nice to have that.

4. The newcomer Tabraiz Shamsi seems to have added plenty of energy since joining the Proteas in the West Indies on his first tour. What’s it been like working with him?

CH: I am extremely happy. My challenge is that they’re all different and react to different messages. They have walked the journey. Some of them are very young and some have been around for donkey’s years. He made his name in the CPL. The first time I saw Shamzi, he was bowling to (Jacques) Kallis and (Kamran) Akmal, and they got like two runs in two overs off him, and that was in T20 cricket! I am still trying to work him out and figure out which way the ball is spinning! (laughs)

5. International cricket is though a different beast to T20 domestic leagues. Do you think he will be able to adapt to the different demands and pressures?

CH: He has adapted well. He is fortunate that he has walked into a good environment led by solid senior players and good management. You need that as a young player, and he is also fortunate he has Imran there; they connect well and enjoy each other. It’s fantastic to see a 37-year-old sharing his knowledge with a young man like Shamsi.

6. How do you think you will be able to get the best out of an unconventional spinner like Shamsi?

CH: It’s important to keep him hungry. I think his enthusiasm for the game and his body language are key factors for him. He needs to keep his feet on the ground and understand what makes him successful, the basics. I hope he can keep it simple and try to assess the conditions as we go along, but most importantly, bowl with a smile on his face.

7. Cricket South Africa has invested heavily in spin camps for both bowlers and batsmen over the past few years, with winter tours to the subcontinent for players to enhance their skills. Do you think the emergence of young spinners like Shamsi are the fruits of these

efforts?

CH: If you look back five/six years ago, there weren’t many spinners around. Now suddenly you have a lot knocking on the door. It’s fantastic to have that luxury of having these guys around. If you look at the Test side too, there’s Dane Piedt, who’s done really well. Then there’s Simon Harmer, who is behind him, who has also done really well. We also have Keshav Maharaj, a left-arm spinner that’s done really well for the Dolphins. And who knows where this is going to take us?

8. It is often said that the development of a spinner is directly proportional to the trust that a captain has in him. Do you think AB de Villiers is able to handle this new line of attack the Proteas are adopting?

CH: I thought his captaincy was outstanding in the last game. He had the attacking fielders up close around the bat, plus the defensive fielders on the boundary.

AB’s been around, hey … he understands the game. He’s played with world-class cricketers and himself being the best in the world. He’s good with people because he connects with them. The bowlers are very happy with the captain and that’s very important to have that communication.

9. The conditions at the previous venues in Guyana and St Kitts have been favourable for the spinners. Will the Proteas persist with their spin strategy now that the Tri-Series has moved to Barbados’s Kensington Oval?

CH: Barbados, I’ve been told, is a better batting wicket with a bit more bounce. I also believe the boundaries are also a bit bigger. Who knows, do we go in with three spinners, that is an option? I am always in favour of spin. I feel sides don’t really prepare that well against spin.

10. The Proteas and Australia have each recorded a victory each over one another thus far in the Tri-Series. They play again today with a place in the final at stake. Is there any extra pressure added to the match?

CH: Obviously we want to win every game we play The last win has given us a nice boost. The captain has led from the front and the senior players have put their hands up. A good knock from Hashim, it was his 23rd ODI century. That is amazing stuff. Quinny has played well, batted out character there, batting with Hash. Faf du Plessis has come back from injury. His knowledge on the field and the calmness in the dressingroom is key for the team.