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Tahir excited by increase in SA spin stocks

Cape Town - South Africa spinner Imran Tahir is pleased rather than dismayed by the increasing number of spinners in the country, saying it's huge positive for the Proteas to see such a variety of slow bowling coming through.

While the new spinners add to the competition for places, the veteran tweaker feels the increased emphasis on spin is only a good thing in the long run, as it balances the Proteas' pace-dominant bowling attack.

Tahir said in Cricket SA Magazine: "For me, I'd like to say it is a good sign that South Africa has a lot of youngsters that want to bowl spin.

"It is positive for South Africa and for the young players, because South Africa has always been a fast bowling nation so it is nice to see a bit of a change and that spin bowlers can do a job these days."

Tahir then singles out a few players’ names and stipulates that they are the future of South African spin.

"They will be very good now and over the years to follow: (Aaron) Phangiso, Eddie Leie, (Tabraiz) Shamsi, Simon Harmer, Dane Piedt - you never heard of so many spinners in South Africa before.

"All of them are so different. You have offies, left arm orthodox and a china-man bowler. So I am very happy and it is nice to see how the guys have been performing."

Tahir, who has been playing for Nottinghamshire for the past two months, has 20 Tests and 60 ODIs to his name, and is eager to work alongside the growing list of younger spinners.

Tahir will be playing in the upcoming ODIs against Ireland and Australia, with Aaron Phangiso and Tabraiz Shamsi also in the squad. Harmer and Piedt are used more by the Test side.

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