FILE - Proteas left-armer Keshav Maharaj, pictured, and his spin twin Tabraiz Shamsi will have to play a key role in the middle order for South Africa at the Champions Trophy.
Image: Rodger Bosch / AFP
The Proteas’ bowlers have been chasing leather on the flat Pakistan pitches in the build up to their Champions Trophy campaign, which starts against Afghanistan on Friday.
The Proteas’ bowlers have conceded over 300 runs in each of their three warm-up matches ahead of the tournament. Pitches in Pakistan are flat and considered batting paradises for batsmen this time of year. Scores of over 300 are par for the course in 50-over matches during their winter months.
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South Africa compiled a healthy 304/6 in their allotted 50-overs against New Zealand, but the Black Caps managed to cruise to victory with eight balls to spare to win by six wickets.
In the second match against Pakistan, the hosts of the tournament chased down a massive 353 to win by six wickets with an over to spare. In their final warm-up match against the Pakistan Shaheens, the Proteas successfully chased 322 runs for victory, although they stacked their batting line-up for that second innings chase.
The wickets are terribly flat and the bowlers are on a hiding to nothing, but the Proteas must find a way to somehow stem the flow of runs, especially in the middle overs.
Modern-day cricketers, especially on flat surfaces, don't pull up the handbrake after the powerplay. They tend to go hard throughout the innings if there wasn’t any serious damage done in the first 10 overs.
And it’s in the middle overs where the Proteas have struggled, with their two spinners not making a great impact in terms of picking up wickets.
Tabraiz Shamsi and Keshav Maharaj have been quite economical in the great scheme of things, going for around six to the over. However, they have only taken one wicket between them in the warm-up matches they featured in.
That is not a great return for two experienced campaigners who need to try and pick up wickets in those middle overs.
Picking up wickets is the only way to stop teams from getting away on those pitches. It’s going to onslaught from ball one and there is just no hiding away.
Shamsi and Maharaj are both wicket-takers and have the ability to win games for the Proteas with the ball. Shamsi’s mystery spin is key weapon, while Maharaj can use his variety and skill to vary his length and pace.
Both men have to come to the party if the Proteas have any chance of winning the trophy for the first time since 1998. The bats are going to flash, and South Africa need their spin-twins to dim those lights.
Proteas squad for Champions Trophy
Temba Bavuma (captain, Lions), Corbin Bosch (Titans), Tony de Zorzi (Western Province), Marco Jansen (North West Dragons), Heinrich Klaasen (Titans), Keshav Maharaj (Dolphins), Aiden Markram (Titans), David Miller (Dolphins), Wiaan Mulder (Lions), Lungi Ngidi (Titans), Kagiso Rabada (Lions), Ryan Rickelton (Lions), Tabraiz Shamsi (Titans), Tristan Stubbs (Warriors), and Rassie van der Dussen (Lions).
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