Shamsi ready to spoil DSG's party

Tabraiz Shamsi is hoping for some assistance for the spinners when the Joburg Super Kings meet Durban’s Super Giants in their SA20 clash at Kingsmead on Tuesday.

The Super Kings’ opening match was rain affected, which spruced up the Wanderers surface that saw the seamers gain appreciable seam movement.

This was in contrast to the opening game at Kingsmead where Pretoria Capitals left-arm spinner Senuran Muthusamy returned figures of 3-21.

Liam Livngstone also gained significant turn, especially when he ripped a big leg-spinner to have DSG’s dangerous Heinrich Klaasen caught behind.

This all set the table for Afghanistan superstar Noor Ahmad to bowl DSG to victory with a hugely impressive spell of 2-34 to edge the home team over the line.

Watching all of this from the Highveld has filled Shamsi with excitement as the Super Kings head to Kingsmead today.

“Yeah, as a bowler, obviously, it’s tough with a greasy ball. But, you know, you’ve got to give us something sometimes,” he said. “So, yeah, I’m waiting for some spinning wickets as well. Probably not here [Wanderers] and at SuperSport Park.

“But hopefully, you know, some of the away games, we get some balls turning. We’re here to spoil the party for the batters.”

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Shamsi was traded from the Paarl Royals to the Joburg Super Kings during the off-season, and the wrist-spinner has certainly enjoyed the move as he feels it’s been like a homecoming.

“I’m a Jo’burg boy. So, in a way, it’s a home franchise for me,” Shamsi said.

“And I suppose the Super Kings franchise as a whole, you know, as cricketers looking at it from the outside, I think most cricketers want to be a part of the Super Kings franchise because they have such a long history of winning.

“Not just, you know, the South African franchise, obviously, IPL and all around the world. So, being part of the Super Kings franchise for, you know, finally, it’s a nice feeling.”

DSG, meanwhile, are hoping to maintain their winning ways at home before their passionate supporters.

English all-rounder Chris Woakes, who made his SA20 debut last week at Kingsmead, was certainly impressed with the rousing atmosphere.

“To make my SA20 debut with a crowd like that. The crowd really got behind us when we picked up a couple of wickets, and that was amazing,” Woakes said. “It was incredible. A full packed house. And then roaring us on at the end was pretty special.”

Woakes also felt that the DSG team was shaping up nicely to pose a formidable challenge this season after finishing runners-up last year.

“If you look at the team, you see world-class players and of course you back yourself,” he said. “The team went close last year. So, you feel that you have a chance. I think anyone can beat anyone on the day, and string some victories together.”