TIDY PERFORMANCE South Africa's Keshav Maharaj returned impressive figures in the Proteas' Champions Trophy opener against Afghanistan. Picture: Phill Magakoe/AFP
Image: Phill Magakoe/AFP
The pitches already seem to be a batting paradise at the Champions Trophy in Pakistan and the UAE, and if the Proteas' dominant win over Afghanistan in their first outing, is anything to go by, taking pace off the ball might well be the key to restricting sides.
In fact, in South Africa’s final warm-up match before the tournament against Pakistan Shaheens on Monday the Proteas used no fewer than eight bowlers.
That included all the usual suspects like the two spinners - Keshav Maharaj and Tabraiz Shamsi - and the regular pace attack with the addition of Aiden Markram.
However, Maharaj (0/50) and Markram (0/29) went wicketless while Shamsi bagged one scalp but conceded 58 runs in his eight overs.
Against Afghanistan, only Maharaj played and was impressive with his return of 1/46 in 10 overs.
It’s no secret that the strength of South African attacks traditionally have been their fast bowlers, and that’s the case again with Kagiso Rabada, Marco Jansen, Corbin Bosch, Wiaan Mulder and Lungi Ngidi at their disposal.
The problem though, is that whatever advantage the Proteas have over their opposition with their pace lineup may be negated by the flat pitches.
What about the form of Maharaj and Shamsi of late then?
Shamsi has claimed four wickets in his last 10 matches (five 50-over matches, five T20s) while Maharaj has picked up eight sticks in his last 11 games (three 50-over matches, eight T20s). Of those eight wickets Maharaj claimed, only four of them came in his last seven outings.
All signs point to spin playing a big role at the Champions Trophy, and as their recent returns suggest both the Proteas spinners will seriously have to up their game if South Africa can produce some top performances with the ball.