Head coach Ottis Gibson has heralded the performances of the bowling attack, as South Africa prepare for next month’s limited-overs tour of Australia and full series against Pakistan and Sri Lanka later this year.

Leg-spinner Imran Tahir starred with a six- and five-wicket haul in the recent limited-overs series against Zimbabwe and continues to mentor fellow wrist-spinner Tabraiz Shamsi. Fast bowler Dale Steyn, meanwhile, has returned to ODI cricket after a two-year absence.

Steyn’s comeback to the intermediate format of the international game has been complemented by the ongoing rise of fellow fast bowlers Lungi Ngidi and Kagiso Rabada.

‘Rabada and Ngidi have done very well. We have given Tahir time off to allow us to see other players and he has come back and shown us why he is our No 1. He has come back and bowled really well. He is mentoring Shamsi, which is good for Shamsi. We have high hopes for him,’ said Gibson.

‘I know what Rabada and Ngidi can do, but for me the real excitement was watching Dale bowling. It was fantastic to see him back to that level again, bowling quickly with that skill and accuracy. That is the really exciting part for me.’

The squad for the three ODIs and one T20I in Australia will be announced on Thursday.

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