Arthur(coach) wants Tahir in the Proteas set-up

NEW DELHI: The only chink in South Africaâ€s armour is always said to have been the lack of a quality spin bowler. After Paul Harris†introduction it seemed to have ended, but not quite.

The left-arm spinner has made admirable strides in Test cricket, but as South Africa prepare to host Australia in a series which could take them to the No 1 ranking in Test cricket, the Proteas are looking at adding another dimension to their spin department.

As Mickey Arthurâ€s reaction after looking at Imran Tahir would suggest, South Africa seem to have found a genuine leg-spinner, one who could trouble even the Australians.

Lahore-born Tahir, who has played for Pakistan A sides in the past, would be eligible to play for South Africa from April. Tahir married a South African and according to rules, his wait of four years to represent the country would end in April. And understandably, Arthur wants him in the Proteas set-up soon.

The Australians would, however, have a closer look at Tahir when Ricky Pontingâ€s side takes on the South African Board Presidentâ€s XI from Friday.

“He will give us an option weâ€ve never really had,” Arthur was quoted as saying by Sydney Morning Herald. “Iâ€m excited about having him with us, probably the one component that has been missing all the way through has been this kind of bowler... Heâ€s going to be an invaluable contributor.”

Pakistanâ€s loss could turn out to be South Africaâ€s gain, especially because they have never had a leg-spinning option.

He's a good bowler. Did a nice job for Hants last season.

Is he Test-class? Don't know - but he's way better than Paul Harris-class.

yeah harris isn't skillful enough to last in test cricket for too long....

is he better than kaneria?

PlanetPakistan wrote:yeah harris isn't skillful enough to last in test cricket for too long....

is he better than kaneria?

Harris has basically matched any spinner he has played against in the past couple of years. He's not the greatest but can do the job.

Tanvir hasn't done much this season in SA.

taipan wrote:

PlanetPakistan wrote:yeah harris isn't skillful enough to last in test cricket for too long....

is he better than kaneria?

Harris has basically matched any spinner he has played against in the past couple of years. He's not the greatest but can do the job.

Tanvir hasn't done much this season in SA.

for the obvious reason....

PlanetPakistan wrote:

taipan wrote:

PlanetPakistan wrote:yeah harris isn't skillful enough to last in test cricket for too long....

is he better than kaneria?

Harris has basically matched any spinner he has played against in the past couple of years. He's not the greatest but can do the job.

Tanvir hasn't done much this season in SA.

for the obvious reason....

And what might that be?

that Tanvir doesn't play in S African domestic cricket

taipan wrote:

PlanetPakistan wrote:

taipan wrote:

PlanetPakistan wrote:yeah harris isn't skillful enough to last in test cricket for too long....

is he better than kaneria?

Harris has basically matched any spinner he has played against in the past couple of years. He's not the greatest but can do the job.

Tanvir hasn't done much this season in SA.

for the obvious reason....

And what might that be?

That he plays for Pak, not SA?

PlanetPakistan wrote:that Tanvir doesn't play in S African domestic cricket

Anyway getting back to Tahir my point still stands.

Let's pick him before our minister of sport carries out his intentions of barring him from representing the country.

mynah wrote:Let's pick him before our minister of sport carries out his intentions of barring him from representing the country.

I thought he said he could play, but only as a "white" player.

taipan wrote:

mynah wrote:Let's pick him before our minister of sport carries out his intentions of barring him from representing the country.

I thought he said he could play, but only as a "white" player.

Nah, the latest attempt would bar him altogether as a foreigner from playing for the land of the Kamma chameleon.