5 immediate challenges for Ottis Gibson as South Africa coach

#3 Putting an end to the spinners drought

Imran Tahir

South Africa have predominantly depended on their fast bowlers to strike and provide them crucial wickets. In the recent past, the emergence of Imran Tahir has been an added bonus for the Proteas.

His deception and accurate leg-spinners make him a lethal weapon for South Africa to have. But what challenge Gibson would face is to get few more spinners into the mix, as the dependence on one spinner can prove to be fatal if he’s injured or, down the line, if he retires.

South Africa had Simon Harmer and Dane Piedt in the test team. They lost Harmer due to the Kolpak deal and Piedt through his poor form was over looked. Shamsi, the unorthodox left-arm spinner, has been tried as a backup to Tahir in the shorter forms of the game.

But it can be easily said that apart from Imran Tahir, no spinner has caused any troubles and Shamsi has been rather disappointing when he has been given an opportunity.

Gibson would have to seriously contemplate about this issue and look at the domestic circuit to find a bunch of talented spinners who can play for the country. Once that’s done the selectors would have to be patient and give the spinners enough opportunities, and supported by Tahir they would be hopeful of better returns when compared to Shamsi and Piedt who have underperformed.