Johannesburg – Proteas spinner, Aaron Phangiso, hopes the spinners will have a big role to play in the upcoming three-match One-Day International (ODI) series against New Zealand, starting in Mount Maunganui on Tuesday.
“It's my first time in New Zealand and I haven't done a lot of homework on the statistics here, but for me it really is about taking situations as they come and not looking too far ahead,” Phangiso said after training on Saturday.
“The conditions have been known to be quite slow in some of the areas so hopefully they will assist a bit of spin so Imran (Tahir) and I are able to play a part.
“Past history does suggest that the seam bowlers tend to get a bit of assistance here but if we do play two spinners again our roles will be similar to what they were in Zimbabwe.”
Phangiso is coming off a successful tour against Zimbabwe and Australia in August, where he picked up 10 wickets in a skilful and composed contribution with the ball.
It was his most consistent run in the ODI team since making his debut against New Zealand in January 2013, and asserted his place among the Proteas' spin trio which also includes Tahir and JP Duminy.
“I put in a lot of hard work before and during that tour,” he explained.
“I think the big key for me was my patience, I stuck to my game plans and fortunately that paid off.”
Claude Henderson's role as spin bowling coach continues to help reap fruitful rewards, as the important role of the spinner gains bigger relevance along the pace-laden bowling attack.
“Claude was a brilliant spinner in his days,” Phangiso said.
“To have a guy like him to work with and to gain some confidence has been great.
“I can relate a lot to him because he was a left-arm spinner and that does help a lot, its great being able to feed off that.” – Sapa