Spin ace aims to restrict Pakistan

THE Proteas have long stuck to their convictions of relying on their pace bowlers to lead the attack in Test matches on the subcontinent.

- ZAAHIER ADAMS

SIMON Harmer.

(AFP)

It’s a template they have often stubbornly refused to veer from. But having won just one Test series in Asia since 2014, Proteas coach Shukri Conrad decided to tear up the script and field three specialist spinners in the first Test against Pakistan at Lahore Gaddafi’s Stadium on Sunday.

Conrad’s choice of three spinners - Prenelan Subrayen, Senuran Muthusamy and Simon Harmer - meant the World Test Championship-winning new-ball pairing of Kagiso Rabada and Marco Jansen were separated.

Corbin Bosch, who took six wickets in his last Test, was also relegated to drinks-carrier along with Jansen as allrounder Wiaan Mulder shared the new ball with Rabada.

Mulder bowled just two overs - his only contribution with the ball for the entire day - with Subrayen, almost like in a T20 Powerplay, was called upon after just five overs.