Source :- PERTH NOW NEWS
Australia could face a trial by spin in Durban with South Africa expected to play two tweakers on a dry Kingsmead wicket.
The Proteas are yet to finalise their team for Friday’s first Test, with pace ace Kagiso Rabada not bowling at training on Wednesday as he continues to battle a hamstring injury.
But what is appearing increasingly apparent is both Keshav Maharaj and Simon Harmer will play as fingerspinners, on a pitch expected to turn.
Maharaj took nine wickets with his left-arm tweakers on his home ground in Durban on Australia’s last tour in 2018, while Harmer offers variety as a right-arm offspinner.
Aiden Markram is also a more than capable turner of the ball, potentially giving the Proteas three spinning options in the opening Test.
“As a spinner I obviously hope it turns,” Harmer said.
“The general rule of thumb is that the coastal wickets do offer a bit more for spinners.
“The bounce probably is similar to Australia.”
Harmer’s return to South Africa’s side in recent years is a success story in itself.
The offspinner played five Tests for the Proteas in 2015, before proving himself as an asset in county cricket in England returning to South Africa’s side in 2022.
The 37-year-old has played nine Tests in his comeback, three of them home. Partnered with Maharaj in all three he has taken 18 wickets at 16.94 apiece.
His last home Test was in March 2023, but he looks likely to feature this week with the Kingsmead wicket also offering plenty of spin in an ODI against Australia a fortnight ago.
“I was extremely determined to do well when I got my first opportunity, and I probably ended up putting too much pressure on myself,” Harmer said.
“It was either very high or very low, where now, being 37, I’m aware how things go. It’s a performance-based sport, and I’m going to have good days and bad days.”
South Africa’s team has changed considerably since 2015, with Harmer noting the likes of Hashim Amla, AB de Villiers and Dale Steyn could win games themselves.
But despite that era passing, the Proteas are World Test Champions after beating Australia in the final last year and remain the No.2-ranked side in the world.
“It feels like every time we win, it’s somebody else putting up their hand.” Harmer said.
“There’s not this reliance on certain individuals … That’s probably the difference from the first time that I got into the national set up.
Coach Andrew McDonald said on Wednesday Australia were open to playing two spinners, but it would have to be a “quite compelling” case for the tourists to not pick three quicks.
Matt Kuhnemann is on the tour alongside Nathan Lyon, but instead Travis Head and Beau Webster are likely to offer support in the first Test.
Cooper Connolly would also bowl tweakers if picked, but a turning wicket could play into Nic Maddinson’s hands at the selection table given he is a highly-regarded player of spin.
