India-South Africa ODIs: Graeme Smith excited about Imran Tahir
South African captain Graeme Smith is excited to have Pakistan-born Imran Tahir in his side for the five-match One Day International series against http://www.senore.com/Cricket/India-c750 starting in Durban on Wednesday, 12 January 2011.
The 31-year-old Imran, who has recently been awarded with South African citizenship, was picked in the Proteas ODI squad days after receiving new nationality. He has also been selected in the 30-man preliminary squad for February’s ICC World
Cup 2011. Smith said that having a wicket-taking spinner like Tahir was something he always dreamt about during his captaincy. Smith said a leg-spinner in the side gives him an option to attack in the middle overs.
Twenty20 captain of South Africa, http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Johan-Botha-c67173, who is also part of the ODI squad to play against India, has been a containing off-spin option for the Proteas but now the presence of Imran as an attacking bowler, according to Smith, will
be an asset for the hosts in Wednesday’s game.
“Johan has been excellent for us, he has really controlled the games well for us,” said the Proteas skipper. “And to have someone like Imran in our squad, who can pick up wickets in the middle overs and change games, together with our seam
attack is a wonderful asset,” he added further.
The 29-year-old South African captain, however, did opine that he will not put extra pressure on the newcomer by attaching a lot of expectations with him. He said that the most important thing is to manage the new talent properly.
“Where we play http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Imran-c64193, and how we play him, is a crucial aspect of his management. For us to have an attacking option, especially through the middle overs, is a real asset because it is not something we have really had,” he added further.
Tahir, who is married to a South African woman, has played for Pakistan A team. He represents Nashua Dolphins in http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Pakistan-c755 is leading the SuperSports Series’ wickets
chart with 42 scalps from just five games.
Smith praised Tahir’s performance in the domestic cricket and hoped that he will be equally successful in international cricket as well.
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