EARLY PREPARATIONS

Bavuma, Maharaj among players named for spin camp in India

by Cricbuzz Staff • Last updated on

Maharaj is among the few Test regulars in the squad for the spin camp. © Getty

With a view on bettering their performances in the sub-continent, Cricket South Africa (CSA) on March 29 (Thursday) announced that it will be sending a number of its players, including Test regular Temba Bavuma and Keshav Maharaj, to India for a spin bowling camp to be held in Mumbai from April 28 to May 6.

The squad of players includes a lot of current South African internationals like Keshav Maharaj, Dane Piedt, and Tabraiz Shamsi. Even Temba Bavuma, who is currently playing the series against Australia has also been named for the camp. Another notable name is that of Christiaan Jonker, who debuted against India in a T20I in February 2018. It also enlists coaches - Malibongwe Maketa, Claude Henderson, Russell Domingo and Niel McKenzie. All of them have served the South African national team in some category or the other in the past.

CSA's high-performance manager Vinnie Barnes underlined the importance of the camp by saying, "Nearly all our national teams will be touring the sub-continent in the coming months including the Standard Bank Proteas and the Powerade National Academy who will both be going to Sri Lanka and South Africa A who will be touring India."

"Several senior players, who have been to this camp before, appreciate its value and have asked to be included again."

South Africa are scheduled to tour Sri Lanka for three Tests in 2018, and the camp will be seen as an opportunity for some players to familiarise themselves to spinning conditions. South Africa's recent battles against spin in the sub-continent is well documented. They have won just three Tests - one each against Sri Lanka, Pakistan and India - since Feb 2010.

South Africa have, in the recent past, relied heavily on Maharaj as its lone spin component. By sending a number of spin options to India, they will hope to identify some potential players to partner the left-armer in Sri Lanka, and in the future.

SPIN BOWLING CAMP SQUAD

Batsmen: Temba Bavuma, Tony de Zorzi, Zubayr Hamza, Christiaan Jonker, Sinethemba Queshile, Rudi Second

Bowlers: Junaid Dawood, Bjorn Fortuin, George Linde, Keshav Maharaj, Gregory Mahlokwana, Senuran Muthusamy, Tsepo Ndwandwa, Dane Piedt, Tabraiz Shamsi, Shaun von Berg

Coaches: Malibongwe Maketa, Claude Henderson, Russell Domingo, Neil McKenzie

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