Selection dilemma for South Africa ahead of first Test against Windies

CAPE TOWN - South African cricket team is facing a selection dilemma in choosing between two of their outstanding performers during recent one-day series, Ryan McLaren and Lonwabo Tsotsobe, to replace the injured Wayne Parnell for the first Test against the West Indies.

The Proteas may pick a second spinner on a pitch that traditionally assists spin, but they are more likely to take their cue from their previous performances on this field.

Jacques Kallis was the bowling hero in 2001 when he knocked over the Windies in the fourth innings. In 2005, it was the Test in which Makhaya Ntini took 13/132.

The expectation is that the pitch, which hardly has any grass on it, will break up quickly and that its main characteristic will be uneven bounce, Sports24 reports.

McLaren probably has a slight edge on Tsotsobe in the sense that he has already played a Test against England in January this year for the Proteas.

He also has the ability to bat at No 8, which will strengthen the batting depth.

Tsotsobe showed a lot of improvement in the recent one-day series and really impressed with the manner in which he varied his deliveries.

“Lonwabo’s skills has always been one of his major strengths as a bowler and he showed on two previous tours for the Emerging SA side what he can do,” said Proteas coach Corrie van Zyl.

“It’s encouraging to see that he has all the experience to vary his bowling at this level.” (ANI)