South Africa have adjusted to bowling with SG balls, says Simon Harmer
Mohali: South Africa spinner Simon Harmer on Tuesday said he was comfortable bowling with the SG ball which is different from the Kookabura balls with which they bowl at home.
"The SG ball that we played with in the warm-up, which is the ball that will be using in the game, is a hell of a lot different to the kookabura ball. There are a few little things that we have worked on with the variations with the kookaburra ball. Seam wise may be it would be slightly different, but we have adapted pretty quickly," Harmer said.
"Kookabura ball as it gets closer to 90 overs, the seam starts to disappear into the ball whereas SG ball starts to come out of it. Now for me, as a finger spinner that means I can grip the ball better later on into the game and I think sweat is going to play a big part with the reverse swinging ball. But in terms of actual seam, I think it is better than what the kookabura is," he said.
Asked what line he was planning to bowl, Harmer replied, "On morning of day one, you are not going to bowl outside off stump. It's going to be very dependent on the wickets that we play on. Days 4 and 5 you have to look to be attacking, I don't think you can look to bowl defensively there, unless you are 500 runs behind. But I definitely think, our spinners will bowl attacking lines."
Continuing further, the 26-year-old right-arm spinner said, there was healthy competition amongst the team's spinners which apart from him includes Imran Tahir and Dane Piedt.
"Myself, Dane and Imran we get along very well, competition is always good. I think it can only be good for spin bowling in South Africa," Simon said during a media interaction at the PCA stadium here on Tuesday.
Meanwhile, young South African player Temba Bavuma, who is just four-Tests old, is also looking forward to the challenge of playing in the sub-continent conditions if he gets a chance in the playing eleven.
"I am looking forward to the prospect, this is my third time here in India," he said.
Asked if there was a chance that he may earn a place replacing J P Duminy, who split the webbing on his right hand, Bavuma said, "They are big boots to fill. Our top seven batters are world class batters. Coming to Test side and asked to perform any kind of role is big. If opportunity comes my way, I will try to take it with both hands."
He also said that he learns a lot from the experienced players, even by just watching them in the nets and speaking to them.
"In my personal capacity, I try to be as observant as possible," he said.
Commenting on his earlier tours to India, the 25-year-old right-handed SA batsman said "my first tour was with the T20 Champions League in 2012, most recently it was playing in 'A' series in Kerala."
He also said that he learnt a lot from India 'A' coach and former top batsman Rahul Dravid.
"I got an opportunity to speak to him on the last day of the tour, about different approaches, different plans you got to adapt as a player. Having a talk with him was helpful and he was quite open, he gave valuable advice," he said.
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