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Tabraiz Shamsi and George Linde
Shaun Botterill / Getty Images
- Proteas spinner Tabraiz Shamsi says the Proteas are still “getting to know each other” after an eight-month hiatus.
- Shamsi was the choice of South African bowlers in Sunday’s four-pitched T20 loss to England at Boland Park.
- England have an unassailable 2-0 lead in the series before the T20 final in Newlands on Tuesday.
Proteas leg spinner Tabraiz shamsi admitted they were still on the mend after a T20 series loss to England in Paarl on Sunday.
The Proteas showed signs of dusting off the cobwebs of the lockdown, but showed some fight with the ball on slow ground at Boland Park.
After being asked to hit first, the hosts were only able to hit 146 of 6, as Adil Rashid, England’s leg player, took 2/23.
England in response also struggled with Shamsi getting the best of his career 19/3.
It was a close ending as England sealed the four-wicket victory with one ball remaining, but with captain Eoin Morgan in the middle, victory was assured for the tourists.
After the defeat, Shamsi declared that the T20 team still needed more time to consolidate.
“At the beginning of the confinement we were not allowed to train, so it was quite difficult,” Shamsi told reporters in Paarl.
“Our first game that we played together as a team was on Friday, we are still getting to know each other. Obviously, we know each other, but the more they play together, the more they will know the ins and outs of each other.” .
“I’m looking forward to that, there was a huge improvement in this game.”
It was a decent bowling display by the Proteas on a slow course, who offered help to Shamsi.
Proteas fast pitcher Lungi Ngidi contributed a vital 2/51 in his four overs, which included the wicket of England hitter Dawid Malan, who scored 55 of 40 balls (7 fours, 1 six).
Shamsi has emphasized that Proteas has a potent attack and believes there is no need to panic while the team rebuilds.
“I think we have a really strong bowling attack and it takes a while, obviously we haven’t played together for nine months. England have had three or four [months]”said the Proteas spinner.
“It’s going to take a bit longer for us to get back on track. There’s no need to panic, we’re getting used to each other to get back on track.”
Proteas captain Quinton de Kock stated in the post-game presentation that he believed the Proteas were unlucky.
“Dawid (Malan) played really well. Once again, our guys played really well. It’s a shame for us,” said De Kock, who topped the Proteas with 30.
England moved to an impregnable 2-0 lead before the final of the T20 game in Newlands on Tuesday.
The game starts at 18:00.
Protea Squad:
Quinton de Kock (capt), Temba Bavuma, Junior Dala, Faf du Plessis, Bjorn Fortuin, Beuran Hendricks, Reeza Hendricks, Heinrich Klaasen, George Linde, Keshav Maharaj, Janneman Malan, David Miller, Lungi Ngidi, Anrich Nortje, Andile Phehlukwayo, Kagiso Rabada, Tabraiz Shamsi, Lutho Sipamla, Jon-Jon Smuts, Glenton Stuurman, Pite van Biljon, Rassie van der Dussen, Kyle Verreynne
