The 'underutilised' secret weapon that may hold the key for South Africa's semi-final tilt

By Daniel Beswick

Unflustered and uncluttered by a crowd cauldron created in Antigua, it could be argued Aiden Markram’s captaincy just one over into their quasi-knockout match against the West Indies was the difference between the two sides, setting the tone with a genius bowling ploy: bowling himself.

After Marco Jansen’s successful first over, claiming the wicket of Shai Hope, Markram shouldered the responsibility at the other end, taking the dangerous Nicholas Pooran head on with his off-spin.

First ball, Markram dangled the carrot. Pooran chased, failing to middle with his advancing drive, and holing out to Jansen for a crucial catch.

The wicket put the hosts in a hole. The crowd, earlier buoyed by David Rudder’s live rendition of Rally ‘Round the West Indies, were now subdued. A rebuild through Kyle Mayers and Roston Chase built anticipation, though South Africa continued their press. Tabraiz Shamsi’s Player of the Match efforts tied the West Indies down, held to 135/8, a score too small to realistically contain South Africa’s batting in reply.

Shamsi, who claimed 3/27 (4) coming in to bowl later in the innings, backed Markram’s bowling, and the skipper’s nerve of taking things on himself in the Powerplay against one of the world’s best batters.

“I actually always think he underbowls himself whenever he's captain, (but) he is a wonderful bowler,” Shamsi exclaimed after their win against the West Indies.

“I think he's a lot better than a part-timer so it was nice as a captain he saw that there was something in it for him and he ran with it and he bowled all four overs.”

“When you see another spinner taking wickets, it gives you confidence as well to know that when it's your turn, there'll be something in it for you.”

Moving south to Trinidad, the South Africans now have an opportunity to book tickets for their first ever Men’s T20 World Cup final, and just how much confidence Markram has in his off-spin again could dictate the Proteas’ selection for their Afghan semi-final assignment.

While Markram’s batting is vital in South Africa’s late tournament push, his 1/28 (4) against the hosts brings his career T20I economy to under eight an over, taking a wicket every 22.5 deliveries in the format.

Should he take it upon himself to bowl close to his full allotment, there is less pressure on nailing the selection call between Shamsi and quick Ottneil Baartman as the fifth frontline bowler. If Shamsi was to get the nod again, the side could use up to 12 overs of spin or 12 overs of pace, giving Markram and the Proteas bowling flexibility.

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In the eyes of Shamsi, it’s the luxury of choice in world class bowlers, and the backing of the individuals in a groove that puts them apart.

“The one thing that's nice about our unit, if you look at the squad, there isn't any individual that you can pick and say ‘hey, this guy is responsible for making this team win’.

“There's no pressure on any one individual.”

“I think it doesn't really matter where I'm asked to bowl, whether it's early on in the innings or at the back end. There's a specific job that I've got to do.

“That's the mentality that we have within the squad. Whoever's day it is needs to take extra load and cover up for someone that's maybe not having a good game and that's perfectly normal. That's cricket.”

Of course, the players to stand up have done so when conditions have suited. Beginning their campaign in the USA, the Proteas’ fabled pace attack delivered early in the tournament, before a move to the Caribbean and slower wickets allowed the spinners to work their way in.

The Proteas are unbeaten to this point, though have no doubt been pushed in their campaign, holding their nerve in what could be considered five close finishes in seven matches.

While the side have faced their own challenges, there is a feeling observing the camp that the inhibitions that have hampered previous Proteas teams do not affect the class of 2024 in the same way.

For Shamsi, the current side looking to go where no South Africa side has gone before have a different outlook on pressure.

“Obviously most of the games have been a lot closer than we would have personally liked, but the amazing thing is that this new Proteas team always seems to get over the line.

“So, I think that's what's making the guys play without any pressure because we all know we have the ability to win the games but there's no pressure on any individual to actually do it otherwise we're in trouble.”

“We've been put under huge pressure basically in every single game that we've played and the boys have managed to find a way to win no matter what the situation is, no matter how close the game is.”