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Harris must lift his game
24/07/2008 22:01 - (SA)
Die Burger
Altus Momberg
Worcester, England - Paul Harris will have to lift his game here during the next three days to prove to English cricket experts that he belongs at Test level.
The South African left-arm spinner also needs a good performance against Bangladesh A to regain his confidence.
Commentators and cricket writers praised the Proteas for the way they played in the second Test last weekend but some of them expressed disappointment about Harris's bowling.
He did not take a wicket, and seldom looked like doing so on a wicket that offered hardly any assistance to the spinners. England's last-wicket batsman, Darren Pattinson, even hammered two boundaries over the blond bowler's head.
Both Harris and Robin Peterson, the other spinner in the SA touring team, will be playing in the three-day match against Bangladesh A here from Friday morning.
The selectors will have some thinking to do if Peterson is the more successful of the two.
Peterson last played Test cricket in Bangladesh when Harris was injured and he took five wickets in an innings in Chittagong.
Harris also suffered an injury to his right wrist when he fell earlier this week but he should be fit to bowl against the Bangladesh side.
Keep the pressure on
Harris was impressive and earned much praise when he took 12 wickets against Pakistan on the Proteas' tour early this season.
Since then he has taken only 18 wickets in nine Tests, at an average of 42.83 runs per wicket.
His job in the SA Test team is to keep the pressure on while the seamers take a break. And when there is something in the wicket, he is expected to assume a more attacking role.
His batting has improved markedly but he is still not one of the best fielders in the squad.
Peterson is one of the best fielders and he has made four first-class hundreds, making him an all-rounder that could be a better asset to the Test side.
SA selectors have often gone for spinners with the ability to bat as well as Nicky Bojé and Pat Symcox did. During the past 18 months, however, the have preferred Harris, believing he is the most effective spinner.
But they could switch to a more versatile player of Harris does not achieve much against Bangladesh.
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