Simon Harmer will know better than to over-think his inclusion in SA’s Test squad for their tour to Bangladesh next month.
What with Dane Piedt sure to bowl himself back into form sooner rather than later and the selectors indulging in funny business by picking a short format specialist in Aaron Phangiso as Harmer’s spin twin, the Warriors off-spinner will know that he is only as good as his last performance.
Happily, that was the match haul of 7-153 he took on his Test debut against West Indies at Newlands in January.
But even that should not nurture a sense of security.
Kyle Abbott’s experience is a powerful cautionary tale.
Since claiming match figures of 9-68 against Pakistan at Centurion in February, 2013 – only two SA Test debutants have done better – Abbott has played just two more Tests.
And, of course, he was shamefully left out of SA’s team for their World Cup quarterfinal against New Zealand in Auckland in March despite having been his team’s best bowler of the tournament in terms of average, economy rate and strike rate.
Given all that, it’s difficult to see Harmer establishing himself in the side even if he takes all 40 available wickets in the two Tests SA will play against Bangladesh.
So what, exactly, should he aim to achieve in the series?
“He’s got to get out there and bowl like he can and bowl for the team,” Andrew Hudson, whose tenure as SA’s convenor of selectors ended with the squads picked for the Bangladesh tour, said yesterday.
“If he bowls like he did in Cape Town that will be fantastic. He took his opportunity and bowled really well.
“And, of all the spinners in the mix, he’s the best batsman. He’s also a good fielder, which makes him a good all-round package.”
Indeed, Harmer scored two half-centuries – one of them an effort of 92 off 99 balls – batting at No4 in six matches for Monton and Weaste in the Central Lancashire League in April and May.
He has made seven half-centuries in franchise first-class matches.
Harmer also took 17 wickets at 16.11 for Monton and Weaste. His most recent outing was for Todmorden against Lowerhouse in a Lancashire League game on May 23, in which he claimed 5-29.
Bangladesh will provide stiffer opposition than anything the Lancashire leagues have to offer but it can do Harmer no ill that he is clearly in decent form.
But he will nevertheless keep looking over his shoulder for potential threats and rivals.
Even so, he will not see Morne van Wyk and Stephen Cook coming.
Van Wyk was named SA’s T20 international player of the year and Cook the franchise first-class player of the season at Cricket SA’s awards bunfight this week.
Strangely, neither of them will be in Bangladesh.
Ball in Harmer’s court
Simon Harmer will know better than to over-think his inclusion in SA’s Test squad for their tour to Bangladesh next month.
What with Dane Piedt sure to bowl himself back into form sooner rather than later and the selectors indulging in funny business by picking a short format specialist in Aaron Phangiso as Harmer’s spin twin, the Warriors off-spinner will know that he is only as good as his last performance.
Happily, that was the match haul of 7-153 he took on his Test debut against West Indies at Newlands in January.
But even that should not nurture a sense of security.
Kyle Abbott’s experience is a powerful cautionary tale.
Since claiming match figures of 9-68 against Pakistan at Centurion in February, 2013 – only two SA Test debutants have done better – Abbott has played just two more Tests.
And, of course, he was shamefully left out of SA’s team for their World Cup quarterfinal against New Zealand in Auckland in March despite having been his team’s best bowler of the tournament in terms of average, economy rate and strike rate.
Given all that, it’s difficult to see Harmer establishing himself in the side even if he takes all 40 available wickets in the two Tests SA will play against Bangladesh.
So what, exactly, should he aim to achieve in the series?
“He’s got to get out there and bowl like he can and bowl for the team,” Andrew Hudson, whose tenure as SA’s convenor of selectors ended with the squads picked for the Bangladesh tour, said yesterday.
“If he bowls like he did in Cape Town that will be fantastic. He took his opportunity and bowled really well.
“And, of all the spinners in the mix, he’s the best batsman. He’s also a good fielder, which makes him a good all-round package.”
Indeed, Harmer scored two half-centuries – one of them an effort of 92 off 99 balls – batting at No4 in six matches for Monton and Weaste in the Central Lancashire League in April and May.
He has made seven half-centuries in franchise first-class matches.
Harmer also took 17 wickets at 16.11 for Monton and Weaste. His most recent outing was for Todmorden against Lowerhouse in a Lancashire League game on May 23, in which he claimed 5-29.
Bangladesh will provide stiffer opposition than anything the Lancashire leagues have to offer but it can do Harmer no ill that he is clearly in decent form.
But he will nevertheless keep looking over his shoulder for potential threats and rivals.
Even so, he will not see Morne van Wyk and Stephen Cook coming.
Van Wyk was named SA’s T20 international player of the year and Cook the franchise first-class player of the season at Cricket SA’s awards bunfight this week.
Strangely, neither of them will be in Bangladesh.
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