Simon Harmer is going to be busy today.
The Essex legend will have looking on with relative glee at the amount of turn on offer to Nathan Lyon and Australia’s assortment of part time spinners yesterday, right up until he was bowled by a delivery that spat back from outside off from Lyon.
Lyon got through a monstrous 44 overs in South Africa’s second innings, bowling 10 maidens, but did not take many wickets, ending with innings figures of 2-101.
However, Ryan Rickelton thinks that Australia will find it very tough, especially their right handers.
“It was a lot easier for me as a left-hander because there wasn’t much turn from the straight areas of the pitch,” Rickelton said.
“When the off-spinner went wider and bowled into the rough, trying to lure me into playing outside off stump, there was a much greater chance of an edge or a dismissal.
“I’m actually surprised there isn’t more turn from the straight, considering the [hot] weather we’ve had in Cape Town over the last few days.
“For the right-handers, though, that ball turning back in can be vicious.”
What does that mean for the Aussies?
Both openers are left handers, but then there is a run of three righties in a row (Labuschagne, Green and Inglis).
Carey and Connolly both bat left, before the bowlers alternate right (Cummins), left (Starc), right (Lyon), left (Hazlewood) for a 6:5 split of left hander:right handers.
“We know Australia has four left-handers [in their top seven], we’re going to look to put them under pressure,” Rickelton added.
“Whether it be hanging it out there and waiting for them to come to us, or attacking it differently in their own personal styles.
“We know we have our work cut out for us tomorrow. But when the right-handers are in obviously there is a lot of action for them.”
with AAP/Reuters
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