It was supposed to be a shoot-out between Kyle Abbott and Morné Morkel for the fourth paceman’s berth for the first Test, but off-spinner Keshav Maharaj put himself in contention as well on the final day of a two-day tour match in Adelaide.
Facing a South Australian XI at the Gliderol Stadium in the suburb of Glenelg, the Proteas toiled on an unforgiving pitch as the home side piled on 435/8 in just 80.2 overs when the game was called off.
The South African fast bowlers found life tough, with Vernon Philander (0/72 in 14 overs) and Abbott (1/64 in 12) going at more than five runs per over. Morkel wasn’t much better, claiming two late wickets to end on 2/67 in 14 overs.
But it was Dolphins left-armer Maharaj who reminded the Proteas selectors about the value of having a specialist spinner in the line-up. He ended with 3/59 in 17.2 overs, conceding just 3.40 runs per over, which was excellent in the context of an innings where South Australia scored at a run-rate of 5.41.
Maharaj dismissed No 3 batsman Brad Davis lbw for 22, No 5 Jake Winter for 63 and the last wicket to fall, Patrick Page, lbw for 22.
Most observers would’ve felt that left-arm chinaman bowler Tabraiz Shamsi would’ve been first-in-line of the spinners if the selectors wanted to go that route for the first Test at the Waca in Perth, but the Titans star had a nightmare outing on Friday.
Shamsi conceded 87 runs in just 11 overs, and would’ve lost considerable ground in the race against Maharaj, who as an orthodox finger spinner, would be able to exercise greater control in tying up one end and keeping the runs down.
There is no doubt that Shamsi has the variety to bamboozle any batsman, but by taking three wickets on Friday, Maharaj proved that he can provide more than just a defensive option.
Tim Ludeman was the mainstay for South Australia, smashing a remarkable 164 off just 134 balls, with 20 fours and eight sixes, while opener Sam Raphael reached 91 off 120 deliveries (17x4).
JP Duminy, who didn’t bat on Thursday due to a chest infection, also got in eight overs of off-spin and took 1/55, while Dean Elgar sent down just three overs. The two batsmen could take over the spin duties if the Proteas brainstrust opt for an all-pace attack next Thursday in Perth.
But there’s no doubt that Maharaj has suddenly become an appealing option to add variety to the attack. One way to have four pacemen and a spinner is to play five specialist batsmen and have Quinton de Kock come in at No 6, although that is an unlikely scenario as none of the bowlers are considered genuine all-rounders.