South Africa turn to spin for Australia Test
Skipper Graeme Smith has backed legspinner Imran Tahir to trouble
Australia's left-handers as South Africa seek to establish control of
the three-match series in Thursday's Adelaide Test.
The Proteas have made two changes for the second Test, bringing in
Tahir and debutant Faf Du Plessis, following a draw in the first Test in
Brisbane.
Tahir takes over from paceman Rory Kleinveldt, who was wicketless and
ineffective on his Test debut in Brisbane, while Du Plessis comes in for
the injured JP Duminy.
Adelaide traditionally takes spin late in the match and Smith is
banking on wrist-spinner Tahir to make a valuable contribution with his
wrong'un turning away from the left-handers.
Australia's team is stacked with five left-handers among its top
seven batsmen and the Proteas are banking on Tahir to make an impact
after being left out of the series opener on an unresponsive Gabba
wicket.
Pakistan-born Tahir, 33, has captured 26 wickets in 10 Tests since
his debut against Australia in Cape Town last year and Smith is
confident he will do his bit in Adelaide.
"Hopefully there's a lot of rough (bowlers' foot marks), not for me,
but for the Australian left-handers and he's certainly used the rough
well in the times he's played for us," Smith said.
"He created a lot of stress for Andrew Strauss and the left-handers
in England so the wrong'un turning away from the bat is not a bad
option. He's got enough to really contribute in this game." Smith added
that Tahir must have faith in himself to stick at it over the five days
of a Test match.
"Naturally, he'll be anxious to always do well, that's Imran's
personality, but he's contributed in key ways for us over the last few
Test matches and his role is important," he said.
"Not everything is going to go your way in Test cricket, but you have
to be able to find a way to contribute over those five days and I think
Imran has done that well for us and I think all of us would love to see
him pick up a huge wicket haul.
"Imran is the frontline spinner and we've backed him." Smith said it
was also a great opportunity for Du Plessis, who has played 26 one-day
internationals and four Twenty20 internationals for his country.
"I think Faf is in the same mould bowling as JP (Duminy)," Smith
said.
AFP
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