Proteas To Play Three Spinners In Second Test With Senuran Muthusamy Waiting? As the Proteas gear up for the second Test match against Bangladesh in Chattogram on October 29, a key question on the minds of cricket analysts and fans alike is whether South Africa will take a gamble and field three spinners. With Senuran Muthusamy waiting in the wings, the possibility has certainly sparked conversations, but it’s difficult to see him included as an all-rounder in the final XI. The standout performance of Wiaan Mulder in the first Test makes this decision even more complex.
The Impact of Wiaan Mulder
Mulder’s performance in the first Test in Mirpur was nothing short of exceptional, further cementing his role as the Proteas’ key all-rounder. Mulder was influential from the get-go, displaying remarkable control with the new ball and picking up crucial wickets early on. Bangladesh, bowled out for a paltry 106 in their first innings, struggled to deal with the lateral movement that Mulder was able to generate. His figures of 3/22 perfectly encapsulated his contribution with the ball.
With Mulder opening the bowling alongside Kagiso Rabada, the South African bowling attack showcased tremendous depth. In addition to his performance with the ball, Mulder’s contributions with the bat were equally significant. Batting at a critical juncture, Mulder scored his maiden half-century in Test cricket, scoring 54 and forging a vital 119-run partnership with wicketkeeper Kyle Verreynne for the seventh wicket. This partnership allowed South Africa to build a 202-run lead in the first innings, putting them firmly in control of the match.
Mulder Challenge in the Second Innings
Although Mulder’s heroics were instrumental in the first innings, he found the going tougher in the second innings. After bowling 11 overs without picking up a wicket by the end of day three, the all-rounder was visibly frustrated. Bangladesh, meanwhile, managed to build an 81-run lead with only three wickets remaining.
Despite his inability to strike in the second innings, Mulder’s overall performance made it hard for the selectors to consider making changes to the all-rounder slot, especially with Senuran Muthusamy waiting in the squad.
Could South Africa Field Three Spinners?
The question of whether the Proteas should go with three spinners for the second Test is intriguing. With Dane Piedt and Keshav Maharaj already forming a potent spin duo, adding a third spinner, in this case, Senuran Muthusamy, might seem like overkill. However, the conditions in Chattogram are expected to be more spin-friendly than those in Mirpur, where the pitch didn’t favour the home side as much as initially anticipated.
In Chattogram, the Proteas might be tempted to play a third spinner, especially considering the importance of spin in subcontinental conditions. Muthusamy, a slow left-arm orthodox bowler, could add variety to the spin attack, complementing the off-spin of Piedt and the left-arm orthodox bowling of Maharaj. This combination could prove to be lethal against a Bangladesh side that is traditionally vulnerable against quality spin.
Muthusamy Growth and Potential
Since making his Test debut for South Africa against India in 2019, Senuran Muthusamy has been on the fringes of the Test side. He has played just two Tests, both in that series, but the 30-year-old is confident that he has grown significantly as a cricketer since then.
“I’ve grown a lot from the time I made my Test debut in India five years ago,” Muthusamy told SportsBoom.com in a recent interview. “I think the all-round aspect is far more locked in. I’ve gotten a lot more first-class cricket under my belt, and I’ve learnt a few different skills playing T20 cricket.”
Muthusamy’s ability to contribute in both departments makes him an attractive option for the Proteas, especially in spin-friendly conditions. His development as a middle-order batsman and his consistency with the ball have enhanced his credentials, and he believes he is ready to make a bigger impact at the Test level.
“In terms of the aspects that I’ve grown, I think just all-round middle-order batting and I’ve learnt a lot about spin bowling and what it takes to be consistent. I’ve been to a few ‘A’ tours now, so I’ve been able to grow,” he added.
South Africa Bowling Options
As South Africa head into the second Test, their bowling options will be under scrutiny. With Kagiso Rabada leading the pace attack and Wiaan Mulder providing seam-bowling all-rounder duties, the focus will likely shift to the spin department. Both Dane Piedt and Keshav Maharaj played in the first Test and performed admirably. Maharaj, South Africa’s premier spinner, has been a constant feature in the Test side, and his ability to bowl long, economical spells will be crucial on the spin-friendly pitches of Bangladesh.
Dane Piedt, on the other hand, offers an attacking option with his off-spin. Piedt has the ability to trouble both left and right-handed batsmen with his sharp turn and bounce, making him a valuable asset in the Proteas’ attack.
Adding Muthusamy to the mix would certainly give South Africa more variety and depth, but it could also upset the balance of the side. With Wiaan Mulder’s all-round skills already covering both batting and bowling, including Muthusamy would likely mean dropping a specialist batsman or a fast bowler, which could weaken the team in other areas.
South Africa Strategy for Chattogram
As the Proteas look ahead to the second Test, much will depend on the conditions in Chattogram. If the pitch offers more turn than Mirpur, the temptation to go with three spinners will be strong. South Africa will also need to weigh the risk of leaving out a fast bowler in favour of an additional spinner. With Lungi Ngidi and Anrich Nortje both capable of generating pace and bounce, the Proteas might be hesitant to reduce their seam-bowling options.
However, if the Proteas do opt for three spinners, they will be banking on Senuran Muthusamy to step up and deliver alongside Maharaj and Piedt. This would give South Africa a potent spin trio, capable of troubling Bangladesh’s batsmen on a turning track.
Key Players to Watch
- Wiaan Mulder – The young all-rounder has been in excellent form with both bat and ball. His performance in the first Test was outstanding, and he will be eager to build on that momentum in Chattogram.
- Keshav Maharaj – South Africa’s premier spinner, Maharaj will be crucial to the Proteas’ chances in the second Test. His ability to bowl long, economical spells while taking wickets makes him a key player in the subcontinent.
- Senuran Muthusamy – If included in the playing XI, Muthusamy will have a point to prove. His left-arm spin could provide the Proteas with a valuable option on a turning pitch, and his improved batting could add depth to the middle order.
- Kyle Verreynne – The wicketkeeper-batsman played a vital role in South Africa’s first innings of the opening Test, and his partnership with Mulder was instrumental in building a substantial lead. Verreynne’s ability to contribute with the bat will be crucial once again.
- Kagiso Rabada – South Africa’s spearhead, Rabada will lead the pace attack. His ability to strike with the new ball will be critical in getting early breakthroughs on a potentially slow pitch.
| Player | Role | Test Performances |
|---|---|---|
| Wiaan Mulder | All-rounder | Standout performance in 1st Test |
| Senuran Muthusamy | All-rounder (Spin focus) | Likely to be added for 2nd Test |
| Keshav Maharaj | Spin bowler | Reliable in subcontinental conditions |
| Kyle Verreynne | Wicketkeeper-batsman | Strong partnership with Mulder |
| Kagiso Rabada | Fast bowler | Leader of the pace attack |
| Dane Piedt | Off-spinner | Key player in spin department |
Conclusion
The decision to play three spinners will be one of the major talking points ahead of the second Test between South Africa and Bangladesh. While Wiaan Mulder’s all-round performance makes him hard to drop, the conditions in Chattogram could prompt the Proteas to gamble on including Senuran Muthusamy. Muthusamy’s growth as a player, combined with his left-arm spin, offers South Africa a valuable option. However, it remains to be seen whether the Proteas are willing to alter their team balance to accommodate three spinners.
