The spinners should again play a big part in the outcome of the second T20I between South Africa and Bangladesh on Tuesday, writes Kobus Pretorius.
After winning the first T20 on Sunday, Russell Domingo and his management staff should decide how important it is to win the second game and thereby the series. That decision will then inform the possible changes they make to the team.
The batting line-up shouldn’t change too much, with AB de Villiers getting another chance to open the batting and Rilee Rossouw walking out at number six.
JP Duminy is growing in stature as a spinner every time he plays and can’t really be regarded as a part-time spinner anymore. He should be backed to become a proper all-rounder and his batting alone will guarantee his selection in all three formats.
Aaron Phangiso did well in the first T20I, but it would make sense to give Eddie Leie his debut to see how he goes. An experiment to play three spinners would be interesting but unlikely, but not giving Leie a go in the T20’s, the only format he was picked for, would be an opportunity missed.
The spinners of both teams bowled well on Sunday and are expected to again play a big role in the outcome on Tuesday.
David Wiese continues to grow as a batting all-rounder so someone like Wayne Parnell would have to be sacrificed if Chris Morris were to be given a chance.
South Africa are building towards the T20 World Cup next year but have limited opportunities to give new players a chance. If they don’t do it on this tour, they will have to do it against the likes of New Zealand and India.
Rather get it out of the way now against Bangladesh without risking losing the two-game series.