The Nelson Mandela Bay Giants will pin their hopes of spin trio Imran Tahier, Aaron Phangiso and captain JJ Smuts in Wednesday’s clash against Paarl Rocks.
Boland Park is the venue where the two teams will go at it at 2 pm in search of a place in the Mzansi Super League’s first playoffs.
And Smuts believes the Paarl pitch will help the spinners in their squad.
With South Africa’s premier limited-overs spinner Tahir in their arsenal, the Giants believe they have what it takes to rock the Rocks’ world.
Smuts tells The Herald: “Spin, I think, will play a big role in Paarl especially with it being a day game and a big field.
DANGER MAN: Imran Tahir. Photo: CHRIS RICCO/BACKPAGEPIX
“So I’m sure there will be lots of spin overs.”
Skipper Smuts has been his team’s standout player so far this year, taking seven wickets at an average of 14, while also scoring the most runs for the Giants.
In his eight innings, Smuts has scored 208 runs at an average of 34.66.
It’s their batting during the power play, however, that has the captain concerned heading into the must-win encounter.
He explains: “It’s obviously very important for us not to lose wickets in power play.
“It’s been a bit of an Achilles heal for us but we know what we have to rectify that.”