The Proteas’ Keshav Maharaj has relished working with former Test spinner Paul Harris, ahead of this week’s series opener against England at SuperSport Park in Centurion.

Harris, who played 37 Tests between 2007 and 2011, has continued a longstanding mentoring role with Maharaj.

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‘He is helping me with a technical fault that I had since last Wednesday. We’ve trained quite long in terms of getting something right with my action,’ said Maharaj.

‘It’s been a learning curve for me as I’ve been finding out about my game.’

The Proteas’ squad for the first half of the four-match series includes six players uncapped at Test level. They are seamers Dane Paterson and Beuran Hendricks, batsmen Pieter Malan and Rassie van der Dussen, wicketkeeper Rudi Second and all-rounder Dwaine Pretorius.

Batsman Temba Bavuma and fast bowler Lungi Ngidi, meanwhile, have been sidelined by injury. Opener Aiden Markram’ participation remains in the balance due to a wrist injury.

‘It’s nice to have that balance between new and old faces. It’s good to have that cohesion that aids the game on the field. Sometimes people have come into the Test squad and have not been seen by the opposition before and it works in our favour,’ added Maharaj.

‘With the old experience guys, who know how to go around it’s business, it’s good that we can feed and learn at the same time.’

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