***Official*** South Africa in India 2015

[honestbharani]

Also think they might look to play Philander at 7 and two spinners if Duminy is unfit. Or more accurately, I think they should at the very least consider this option and go ahead with it, if the pitch looks like a turner.

 

[Daemon]

As good as Philander is with the bat, I don't think he's a #7. Harmer can bat a bit but the tail would be too long. 2 spinners not worth it anyways.

 

[StephenZA]

As good as Philander is with the bat, I don't think he's a #7. Harmer can bat a bit but the tail would be too long. 2 spinners not worth it anyways.

Agreed, Philander at best is a 7.5. If SA go into this match with two unproven spinners and one less batsman we will be playing into India`s hands. I would rather play Rabada than an extra spinner.

 

[Marius]

Also think they might look to play Philander at 7 and two spinners if Duminy is unfit. Or more accurately, I think they should at the very least consider this option and go ahead with it, if the pitch looks like a turner.

Disagree completely.

South Africa has won four Tests in India - spinners between them took 11 wickets in those victories. The single biggest haul was Nicky Boje's seven wickets in 2001. South Africa will win this Test series with their seam attack, not their spin attack. And if JP is injured you still have Elgar to give you some left-arm stuff. Faf used to bowl serviceable leggies too, not sure if he still does.

South Africa should play only one specialist, and I think the battle is between Harmer and PIedt. Don't see Tahir getting a game without an injury to those two. Not even sure they should have brought Tahir to be honest, two spinners is more than enough in the squad.

 

[honestbharani]

It really depends on how good Harmer/Piedt is with the bat. I still think they will need a second spinner. Steyn is looking like finding top gear just in time for the tests, but I am not so sure about his back up seamers being up for it, including Morkel.

 

[AndyZaltzHair]

Key point: playing two spinners means there will be also minimum two pacers. no one is suggesting an all out spin attack.

 

[Chrish]

If tracks are similar to 2nd last ODI, then I would back India to do better..

 

[AndyZaltzHair]

.

"Three days - three or four days out from the first day - it looks dry than a pitch normally looks. That's all I can say. We are expecting [preparing] for the worst. We are expecting big spin on day one, and if we come to day one and it does that, it's not a matter of, 'Oh it's spinning, what do we do now?'"
- Faf du Plessis on the Mohali pitch

"It's going to be a sporting wicket. It will have the freshness on day one, will be good for batting the next two days, and then break up on the last two. Why should it turn from day one?"
- MP Pandove, secretary of Punjab Cricket Association

Intrigue around 'dry' Mohali pitch | Cricket | ESPN Cricinfo

 

[StephenZA]

Key point: playing two spinners means there will be also minimum two pacers. no one is suggesting an all out spin attack.

Understood, but you have to play with what you've got. If SA play two spinners then we have to play Tahir. Piedt and Harmer just don`t offer anything different, its one or the other. So why does the SA squad have 3 spinners... simply because SA does not know who to pick with any certainty or if we should play 2 spinners or not! Basically they are going to look at the pitch on day one and go is this a dustbowl?? well we better include Tahir... now what?

My problem with this is that Tahir gives away to many 4 balls (still), in ODI you can get away with it, in Test he is going to get slaughtered (again!). Also he is classed as an "attacking spinner" in ODI that makes him unpredictable and thus dangerous; however, in Tests you just wait for the bad ball (that will come) and punish it. Simply put Tahir (for all his experience) never shows the patience to become a good Test bowler. So why is he in the squad? because honestly we have nothing else spin wise to offer in SA.

I would love for SA to be able to play two spinners in India but we don't know who our first spinner should be never mind a second. Thus, why I keep saying that SA must stick with our pacers and pick one of either Harmer/Piedt.

PS. If you would like to lend us an Indian spinner I will happily play two spinners

 

[Prince EWS]

It really depends on how good Harmer/Piedt is with the bat. I still think they will need a second spinner. Steyn is looking like finding top gear just in time for the tests, but I am not so sure about his back up seamers being up for it, including Morkel.

I was reading this thread backwards so when I first read this post I thought you were advocating it even as well as Duminy and I thought you'd lost the plot. I do kind of get it if Duminy is out though. Philander's really improved his Test batting recently and Harmer's batting was almost on par with his bowling in domestic cricket for quite a while so it wouldn't be the worst option. I'd probably be wanting to give de Villiers the gloves in that situation though because while Philander and Harmer at seven at eight is just about doable, it's probably not doable if Vilas is also at six. So I think I'd bring Bavuma in for Duminy tbh.

You'll probably be surprised by the quality of Elgar's darts if you haven't seen him bowl before, too. Doesn't look a real bowler as Duminy does but he's really accurate and bowls it into the wicket; he's a bit like Jadeja. If it's a silly bunsen he'll be in the game.

 

[StephenZA]

I was reading this thread backwards so when I first read this post I thought you were advocating it even as well as Duminy and I thought you'd lost the plot. I do kind of get it if Duminy is out though. Philander's really improved his Test batting recently and Harmer's batting was almost on par with his bowling in domestic cricket for quite a while so it wouldn't be the worst option. I'd probably be wanting to give de Villiers the gloves in that situation though because while Philander and Harmer at seven at eight is just about doable, it's probably not doable if Vilas is also at six.

Please do not even suggest giving DeVillers the gloves!! That is hopefully done with now.

 

[Pratters]

Tahir is an interesting one. Inconsistent for tests but he has the experience of the past month bowling in match situations in India which others have not. That helps as you are better accustomed to where to pitch the ball, more than any thing. For Mohali, would be surprised if SA go with two spinners. Even generally, if the spinners aren't too good, it's always better to play three pacers. Any ways, welcome stphndbsn. Nice to have a few South African fans in here. Far too less some how from the very beginning compared to other countries.

 

[honestbharani]

I was reading this thread backwards so when I first read this post I thought you were advocating it even as well as Duminy and I thought you'd lost the plot. I do kind of get it if Duminy is out though. Philander's really improved his Test batting recently and Harmer's batting was almost on par with his bowling in domestic cricket for quite a while so it wouldn't be the worst option. I'd probably be wanting to give de Villiers the gloves in that situation though because while Philander and Harmer at seven at eight is just about doable, it's probably not doable if Vilas is also at six. So I think I'd bring Bavuma in for Duminy tbh.

You'll probably be surprised by the quality of Elgar's darts if you haven't seen him bowl before, too. Doesn't look a real bowler as Duminy does but he's really accurate and bowls it into the wicket; he's a bit like Jadeja. If it's a silly bunsen he'll be in the game.

Yeah, but Jadeja became good only AFTER he added more than just those darts to his bowling. If you remember the Aussie series, he was actually getting the ball up in flight and getting good dip to go with his darts that he can call in anytime. The variations were what made him that effective.

I have no idea on Elgar's bowling tbh and if you say he can be as good as Jadeja then I believe you. In that case, they may not need the second spinner. But in case he is not, I honestly think they need to see if they can fit in a second spinner, even ahead of someone like a Philander if required. I am amazed RSA seems to have run out of all-rounders though. I thought they had a bloody assembly line of them.

 

[Prince EWS]

I definitely don't think Elgar is as good as Jadeja as a bowler. He's similar in style but not really in quality, mainly for the reason you just mentioned:

If you remember the Aussie series, he was actually getting the ball up in flight and getting good dip to go with his darts that he can call in anytime

If it ends up one of those Indian pitches where firing side-spinning deliveries into the pitch at pace will result in massive amounts of natural variation then he'll be in the game; that's all I was saying. He's not the complete non-entity as a bowler his record would indicate; in certain conditions he'd be a threat, and he's really accurate for someone who doesn't bowl much.

I'd probably consider two spinners if Duminy was out too. Not instead of Philander, but playing five bowlers should definitely be an option, particularly since I don't really think Bavuma will offer much with the bat anyway. I probably wouldn't go that way but it should be on the table.

 

[Furball]

I hope South Africa play Tahir, and I hope the square chinned **** gets belted.

 

[Prince EWS]

I don't think I'd play Tahir even if Duminy was out and I played two spinners tbh.

 

[Contra]

wow it's been almost 2 years since India last played a home test.

 

[SeamUp]

Moonda in her previews describes Harmer and Piedt as defensive spinners. Clearly has no idea.

 

[Marius]

Moonda in her previews describes Harmer and Piedt as defensive spinners. Clearly has no idea.

And I found at least three grammatical errors in it before I gave up.

Cricinfo needs to get better subs and Moonda needs to check her work.

It's just sloppy.

She also thinks Tahir might play as the sole spinner - I don't see that happening in a month of Sundays.

 

[AndyZaltzHair]

Is there any word on Duminy's fitness?