Proteas plan to spin Aussies out

Both sides to meet in second match of triangular series today.

HARARE: South Africa will look to extract an advantage from their superior spin stocks when they take on a hard-hitting Australian side in the second match of a triangular series in Harare on Wednesday.

With the dry, late winter pitches in Harare suiting the spinners more than the fast-bowlers, leg-spinner Imran Tahir and left-arm spinner Aaron Phangiso can cause considerable threat for the Kangaroos. They also have the support of JP Duminy, whose off spin has become a regular feature for the Proteas.

By contrast, Australia brought just one specialist spinner in Nathan Lyon, and although he picked up a couple of wickets on Monday, he was also hit for 42 runs in seven overs by a struggling Zimbabwean line-up.

“The wicket in Harare is a lot slower so it might be a strategy that we might try and use,” said Duminy of the spin factor.

However, fast-bowlers Dale Steyn and Morne Morkel have returned to the South African squad after they were rested against Zimbabwe, setting up the tantalising spectacle of the world’s two fastest bowling attacks going head-to-head.

One of the Australians who found form on Monday was Mitchell Marsh as he paced his innings perfectly to score 89 from 83 deliveries. He believes Aussie seamers have adapted to the conditions sufficiently.

“The way all the bowlers bowled [against Zimbabwe], they took pace off the ball at the right time and I think that’s going to be key on this wicket,” said Marsh.

Published in The Express Tribune, August 27^th, 2014.

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