Phangiso to change length to counter aggressive Aussies

Proteas will face World champions in their second match of tri-nation series on Tuesday at same venue

GEORGETOWN: South African left-arm spinner Aaron Phangiso said that the spin department, which is the weaker part of their bowling attack, must also nullify the threat of Australia's powerful hitters to stand any chance of victory in their second ODI of the tri-nation series in Guyana on Tuesday.

Proteas lost the opener in the 10-match series to hosts West Indies at the same venue on Friday after being dismissed for a paltry total of 188 as Sunil Narine returned to international action with a six-wicket haul.

South Africa's spinners took six wickets in reply but were also laid into by Kieron Pollard, whose unbeaten 67 took West Indies to a four-wicket victory. "We can maybe try a different approach when a player like Pollard is on the attack, perhaps change up the lengths a little bit," Phangiso said. "It's something that we will need to work on -- how to counter a situation when a batsman is being positive and on the attack," he added.

Against West Indies, Phangiso posted career-best figures of 3-40, which might have looked a lot more flattering had Pollard not hit him for three enormous sixes. "The surface was dry, definitely not one that you get back in South Africa often.

“It was very helpful to the spinners, we saw Narine taking a six-for-27 for the West Indies and our spinners picked up six wickets between us. I'm quite pleased with my performance, but there is still a lot of improvement to be done.”

Australia, South Africa and West Indies will meet each other three times over the next three weeks in Guyana, St Kitts and Nevis and Barbados with the top two playing in the final in Bridgetown on June 26.