Three wrist-spinners have taken a big share of the wickets in the latest Pro20 Cup. This gives South Africa new leg-spin options after years of searching, IOL Sport reported.
Thomas Kaber, 34, has claimed 13 wickets for the Warriors. Josh Breed, 27, of Western Province has taken 12. Nqaba Peter, 24, has taken 10 for the Lions.
Tabraiz Shamsi, the most experienced of the group, has added 11 wickets in the competition. IOL Sport said this shows he still has value.
Breed made his mark against the defending champions, the Lions, at Newlands on Saturday evening. The Lions side included several Proteas players.
The former Wynberg Boys’ High player took 2/31 and bowled Western Province to victory. His wickets included Rassie van der Dussen and Connor Esterhuizen.
Breed has also earned his first call-up to the Betway SA20. He is set to play for the Pretoria Capitals in Season 5 of the league.
Peter has already played 20 matches for the Proteas across formats. He spent two seasons with the Paarl Royals but did not get a Season 5 SA20 deal.
IOL Sport said his Pro20 Cup form for the Lions shows he should not be written off at 24.
The Proteas have looked for a quality white-ball leg-spinner since Imran Tahir retired from international cricket. Shamsi’s fall from favour added to that gap.
South Africa has not been short of other spin bowlers. Keshav Maharaj is one of the country’s best spinners across all formats. Senuran Muthusamy has become a reliable left-arm orthodox option.
Bjorn Fortuin and Prenelan Subrayen have also played their part in white-ball cricket. Off-spinner Simon Harmer continues to set records in Test cricket.
What the country has lacked is a wrist-spinner who can turn the ball both ways and attack the stumps, IOL Sport said.
Leg-spin is hard to master. Bowlers need control and confidence, and they must keep attacking even after being hit for six. In T20 cricket, batters are always trying to dominate, which makes the job harder.
Wrist-spinners can turn the ball away from right-handed batters. They can also trick batters in the air by changing pace and flight.
Tahir used those skills well. His energy and attacking style made him a key part of South Africa’s limited-overs teams for years.
IOL Sport said young wrist-spinners need specialist coaching and patience to grow. They should not be judged only on the odd expensive over, the report said.
Source: this article is based on reporting by IOL Sport. Image: IOL Sport. Written with the help of AI and published by the Tzaneen Voice Sports desk. See our Editorial Standards.
Tiyani Mathebula writes about sport for Tzaneen Voice. Tiyani covers Bafana Bafana, the Springboks, the Proteas and the PSL, along with athletics, tennis and local club sport. Match reports and previews focus on results, team news, fixtures and what each game means for South African teams and fans.