Harbhajan Singh's around-the-wicket line to South Africa's left-handers was the root cause for the hosts stumbling to 220 all out here at Newlands yesterday
Harbhajan Singh's around-the-wicket line to South Africa's left-handers was the root cause for the hosts stumbling to 220 all out here at Newlands yesterday. Colin Ingram (10) and Graeme Smith (43) were victims of the off-spinner.
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Both left-handers played premeditated sweep shots, off Harbhajan and part-time spinners, on multiple occasions before perishing caught at first slip. Smith's technique against the turning ball was questionable. It was even uglier when he stepped down the crease and tried to flick Harbhajan through midwicket only to get struck on the pads. The sluggish nature of the surface didn't allow batsmen to judge the ball's behaviour, but some of Harbhajan's deliveries, though not unplayable, unpredictably gripped of the surface at pace. Smith could score only eight off 21 balls against Harbhajan while Ingram made only three.
South African legends Lance Klusener and Graeme Pollock reckon Smith and Co need to prepare harder against spin bowling ahead of next month's World Cup. "We have done really well in subcontinent conditions over the last few years, but our batsmen need to feel more assured against the turning ball. In hindsight, on this surface there was a little more pace, while in Indian conditions, the batsmen have little more time to come on the backfoot and play their strokes, but there's a definite worry," Klusener told MiD DAY.
"These sorts of experiences should be used as a platform to prepare for the big one. Cricket is a game of confidence, it's important not to allow the spinner to dictate terms. I am sure the management will be looking closely at the footage of this game," he added.
Meanwhile, Pollock reckons the surface was tailor made for South Africa to gain valuable preparation ahead of cricket's showpiece event in the subcontinent. "They should take some positives out of this and try to improve their game against spin bowling. It was a disappointing performance. We need to play spin with more confidence," he told MiD DAY.
He however, defended Smith. "He is a fighter. He knows how to step it up when it comes to the big stage. Few years back there were similar doubts about his ability to play spin, but he has a great record in India and Sri Lanka," Pollock concluded.
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