Spinning out of control

Make no bones about it, the news that Nicky Boje is not going to India is desperate news.

Face facts. The truth of the matter is that South Africa is in essence off to India without a spinner. Justin Ontong, who, simply put, is yet to prove his worth as a spinner at first class level and now shoulders an enormous responsibility. Whilst I obviously wish him well, nothing should be expected of his performances.

He himself made the comment recently that he was surprised he got the nod as the spinner, as since he had made the move to Gauteng he had been concentrating more on his batting! Talk that part timers such as Smith, Rudolph and Van Jaarsveldt will support in the spin department, are illusions of grandeur.

The spin cupboard is as bare as a badger’s backside. The spin cupboard is as barren as the pitches that South Africa will be playing on. One thing is certain; the Indian batsmen will not be losing any sleep contemplating facing any tweakers.

I was also amazed at recent comments that Ontong bowls predominantly off-spin in one-dayers and leg-spin in the longer version. Hang on…. who are we talking about? No one in the history of the game has perfected the art of ever being able to expertly deliver both!

The decision makers of Indian cricket will simply be sending out strict messages to the ground staff at Kanpur and Eden Gardens in Kolkata that the tracks must be turning square as early as possible. Why would they not play to their strength, pack their team with 3 spinners and look to totally negate the seam attack of the visitors.

In essence that takes any threat that South Africa possess with the likes of Pollock and Ntini out of the game. India will be confident in the knowledge that a combination of batting inexperience in Indian conditions and the confronting of quality spin of Harbhajan and Kumble should wreak havoc.

The weaponry that those two spinners enjoy will torment the visitors and if you add the left arm orthodox of Kartik as well the task becomes even steeper. All bases are covered in the variation department. Also, don’t forget the quality of the catching of the ‘cobras’ who will be hovering under the nose of the batsman on either side of the deck.

You only have to look at the pitch that was prepared for the final Test against Australia in Mumbai to get a hint as to the thought pattern. This track started turning square at over number 33 when the off-spin of debutant Nathan Hauritz was introduced. On day one, this surface resembled a fourth or fifth day pitch! Harbhajan Singh even opened the bowling for India!

The situation is spinning out of control.