Nagpur - There was irony in the fact that at the same time that the West Indies Cricket Board sent out a press release on Wednesday stating it wanted to reignite the passion for fast bowling in the Caribbean, all the talk in India was about how spin would influence the crucial World T20 Super 10 encounter between the Proteas and the Windies at the Vidarbha Cricket Association Stadium on Friday.
The West Indies were, of course, once a famed “factory” for producing long-limbed bowlers who could deliver the ball at express pace. Legends of the game such as Michael Holding, Malcolm Marshall, Wes Hall, Andy Roberts, Joel Garner, Curtly Ambrose and Courtney Walsh tormented batsmen the world over for many years.
That legacy, however, belongs to a bygone era. Instead, the modern-day men in maroon now look to dismiss the opposition through leg-breaks instead of yorkers, doosras ahead of bouncers and carrom balls rather than away-swingers. And for all the hype surrounding the Windies power-hitters who South Africa are due to encounter on Friday, the reality is that the 2012 World T20 champions possess slow bowlers capable of inflicting severe damage.
The world’s No 1 ranked T20 bowler, Sunil Narine, may not currently be available for selection due to issues with his off-spinning action, but Samuel Badree and Sulieman Benn are two world-class spin bowlers in their own right. Badree has certainly emerged from Narine’s shadow and showed that his leg-spin can be just as effective as the mystery provided by his Trinidadian compatriot.
“The absence of Sunil is a big blow to the team. You know how dangerous he is especially in these conditions,” Badree admitted at the VCA Stadium on Wednesday. “Yes, we have talked about someone having to step up and fill those huge shoes. I am happy thus far in the tournament that I was able to do that quite competently.”
Badree claimed 3/12 in the Windies’ previous match against Sri Lanka. Part of the threat that he and “Big Benn” pose to all the South African batsmen is down to the fact that they are two very different spin bowlers.
At 35, Badree is experienced enough to also know what works for him, and he sticks to it religiously. Although not a significant turner of the ball, there is just enough zip and energy in his leg-breaks to fill the Proteas’ minds with doubt about advancing down the pitch to meet his stock delivery on the full.
Benn, meanwhile, is 2m tall and possesses the ideal physique for a fast bowler.
He certainly has the aggression and will surely share a few choice words with the Proteas, especially if Dale Steyn is recalled, due to the history they share from a previous incident in Barbados.
“He (Benn) must not go unheralded. His spell of four overs for 13 runs was tremendous, especially bowling to a set (Angelo) Mathews and Thisara Perera, who was looking to take the mantle of scoring runs at the end,” Badree said of his partner’s contribution to the recent victory over Sri Lanka.
The Badree-Benn partnership is also unique in the fact that they often bowl in tandem during the six power-play overs.
Most spinners shy away from bowling when the field restrictions that allow only two fielders outside the 30-yard circle are in place, but not Badree, especially. He often opens the bowling for the Windies and bowls his entire four-over spell up front, which make his overall T20 international economy rate of just 5.42 across 24 matches phenomenal.
South Africa will try to match these two spin wizards on the dustbowl of the VCA Stadium with some slow poison of their own. The smart money suggests left-arm spinner Aaron Phangiso will join Imran Tahir in the Proteas starting XI on Friday.
Tahir - like Badree - does not give the ball a massive rip, but differs in that he prefers the googly instead of the standard leg-break that turns away from the right-hander. Phangiso regularly delivers the ball with a flat trajectory, which is also Benn’s preference.
Having been the lone specialist spinner for South Africa thus far at this World T20, Tahir is certainly looking forward to attacking the Windies with an able sidekick in tow.
“I am very excited to bowl with him (Phangiso). If you look at all the other games, the impact spin has had. He has played before, both domestically and internationally, so it’s not like he is a new player. He has been working hard in the nets. I hope we do well,” Tahir said on Wednesday.
Cape Argus