Australia in SA
Kepler: SA better than Aussies
2009-02-18 20:09
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Altus Momberg - Die Burger
Cape Town - Australia’s cricket team will make a huge error of judgement if they build their tactics around South Africa’s perceived weakness against legspin bowlers.
Kepler Wessels, who played Test cricket for Australia before becoming South Africa’s first captain after unity, said on Wednesday the Proteas did not have any problems with legspin bowling.
Wessels is a commentator these days and has watched virtually all South Africa’s Tests the last three years, including away Tests in India and Pakistan, where they respectively encountered legspinners such as Anil Kumble and Danish Kaneria.
“I don’t think the Proteas have a problem against legspinners. They have fared very well the past few years,” said Wessels.
Australia’s selectors decided to include rookie Bryce McGain in their squad because of the Proteas’ perceived weakness. It is a fact that the Proteas could never find an answer against Shane Warne, but he was named as one of the five foremost players of the 20th Century.
The Aussies will not be able to rely on McGain for the same kind of success. Wessels, who saw McGain in action in Australia recently, was not impressed.
“He is average. I can’t see how he will have a major impact on any of the Test wickets here. Maybe a little in the Cape, but that is all,” he said. The former skipper also said that he’s not even sure whether 36-year-old McGain would play in the first Test at the Wanderers.
The Proteas showed recently that they are faring better against spinners and particularly legspinners. Kaneria did take 36 wickets in 7 tests against the Proteas, but had to bowl nearly 75 balls for every dismissal. Kumble has taken 84 South African wickets, but it took him 81 deliveries per dismissal. He took a wicket with every 58.7 balls against the Aussies.
Wessels believes the Proteas are “better than the Aussies in every aspect of the game and have an excellent chance of winning the series”.
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