Proteas Should field the Best Seamers against India: Omar Henry

Omar Henry, former South Africa’s Convenor of Selectors, would like to see the host fielding the best four-seamers against India in the first Test at Newlands from January 5.

The 65-year-old Henry is of the opinion that to attack India; South Africa needs to go all guns blazing which means including their star fast bowler Dale Steyn. South Africa decimated Zimbabwe in just two days in the four-day Test match earlier this week with a pace battery comprising Morne Morkel, Kagiso Rabada, Vernon Philander, seam bowling all-rounder Andile Phehlukwayo and spinner Keshav Maharaj.

Steyn hasn’t played international cricket since November 2 due to a shoulder injury. However, he has recovered and is considered to be fully fit.

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“Dale simply has to play. We need to play our four best seamers against India plus the spinner. India has improved – both batting and bowling – but in our conditions, we need to attack them with our best four seam bowlers plus the spinner. I know he hasn’t played in a while and there is concern about his fitness. But you need to get him playing again, and I can’t see any other way than playing him in a four-man attack. These next two series (India and Australia) are vitally important for South African cricket, and if your best players are fit and available, they need to play,” Henry said in an interview.

South Africa in the recent past either gone with seven specialist batsmen, which they may have to do to include their captain Faf du Plessis or opt for the safety net of the extra all-rounder. The latter certainly seems to be the current thinking with Phehlukwayo filling that role against Zimbabwe. Chris Morris has also been added to the squad for the game against Cape Town.

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However, Henry believes that South Africa should not go with an all-seam attack. Henry is aware of all the challenges awaiting Keshav Maharaj; however, he believes Maharaj is ready to take on the challenge.

“The weather conditions currently in Cape Town will make it very hard not to play a spinner. The lack of rainwater will cause the pitch to be a bit drier than usual for it would have received no unmeasured water. It will dry out quicker than normal. There’s no doubt the Indians are reared on a diet of slow left-arm bowlers. They do come at you, so Keshav will be tested mentally. What I have seen of him though is that he is a very calm and collected individual. He doesn’t get flustered or change too many things. He will enjoy the challenge of bowling at some of the best players of spin in the world,” Henry concluded.

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