Shamsi rewarded for fine domestic season
If Tabraiz Shamsi can replicate domestic form at international level in the Caribbean next month, the South African coaching staff and selectors may want to thank Marlon Samuels.
|||If Tabraiz Shamsi can replicate domestic form at international level in the Caribbean next month, the South African coaching staff and selectors may want to pop over to Marlon Samuels’s house with a little something to show their gratitude.
For it was the 35-year-old West Indies batsman, sworn enemy of Shane Warne, who glanced at Shamsi in a practice match when the West Indies played in Benoni two years ago, and called on him to play in the Caribbean Premier League T20 competition the following year.
Shamsi, turning out for the St Kitts and Nevis Patriots, picked up 11 wickets in seven matches - finishing as the team’s top wicket-taker - and the confidence he gained from being such an important role-player, was utilised to great effect by his local franchise, the Titans, as they won two trophies in the South African domestic season. The 26-year-old left-arm wrist spinner was instrumental in the Titans’ triumphs in the RamSlam T20 tournament and the Sunfoil Series four-day competition.
In the shorter format he claimed nine wickets, but it was his economy rate of 7.11 that proved decisive, indicative of the control he exerted over opposing batsmen. He carried that confidence and form into the Sunfoil Series, finishing as the joint second highest wicket-taker with 41, that included two ten-fors, and five five-fers.
Many were surprised that Shamsi had missed out on a call-up to the South Africa squad for the World T20 tournament in March, believing the variety in his arsenal and the mystery factor as far as opposing sides were concerned, would have made him an ideal weapon in Indian conditions.
Shamsi and the rest of the 15-man squad will play a triangular ODI tournament featuring hosts, the West Indies, and current 50-over World Champions Australia. South Africa will face the home team in the competition’s opener on June 3 in Guyana.
The selectors have chosen to exercise caution with Dale Steyn, by omitting him from the squad citing future Test commitments, the first of which will be two matches against New Zealand in August, followed by a three-match series in Australia and a home series against Sri Lanka at the end of the year. Steyn battled with injuries through most of last summer, playing just two of South Africa’s eight Tests. Selection convener Linda Zondi stressed that Steyn remained a part of the South African team’s future ODI plans, but for now, the likes of Kagiso Rabada and Morne Morkel, who also missed out for the World T20, will lead the attack.
Wayne Parnell, following some excellent displays towards the back end of the season for the Cape Cobras, also returns for a tour in which South Africa are guaranteed to play six matches and should they be successful in those, could play a final in Barbados on June 26.
Meanwhile, the Pakistan Cricket Board named Mickey Arthur as the coach of their national team following the resignation of Waqar Younis after the World T20.
It will be the 47-year-old’s third international coaching stint following a successful period in charge of South Africa between 2005 and 2010 when he helped the side to win Test series in England and Australia. He also coached Australia in a controversy-laden 18-month period before being sacked in 2013.
SA squad: AB de Villiers (capt), Kyle Abbott, Hashim Amla, Farhaan Behardien, Quinton de Kock, JP Duminy, Faf du Plessis, Imran Tahir, Morne Morkel, Chris Morris, Wayne Parnell, Aaron Phangiso, Kagiso Rabada, Rilee Rossouw, Tabraiz Shamsi. – Saturday Star