Mirpur: Australia’s legendary leg-spinner Shane Warne visited the South African team training session at Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium on Wednesday and gave a few tips to their leg spinner Imran Tahir and also bowled a few deliveries.
Warne, who is here as a television commentator, spoke to Pakistan-born Tahir for a long time and this created a stir especially on the eve of South Africa’s semi-final match against India.
Indian scribes rushed to the spot while photographers began taking snaps. Some approached South African batsman Hashim Amla and asked him about Warne’s presence. Amla tried to play down the impact of Warne’s appearance by saying: “We were all surprised to find him at the nets. Maybe he was getting bored at the hotel and came over to have a bowl.”
The answer was not very convincing for the scribes, who then approached South Africa media manager Lerato Malekutu, who said: “We were surprised to see him out there. He bowled only six or seven balls. Maybe he was getting bored in his hotel room.”
This lead to speculation whether Warne may soon be appointed as South Africa’s spin coach. The question posed by many was whether Warne could be bored enough to brave the traffic and come to Mirpur all the way from Dhaka on a non-match day? Incidentally, it was a very hot day too, with temperatures hovering around 40 Celsius.
Warne also closely observed JP Duminy’s off-break bowling and left-arm spinner Aaron Phangiso in action.
When he was seen in long conversation with South Africa’s bowling coach Allan Donald, many concluded that he may have visited the training camp on invitation from Donald. Both Donald and Warne are incidentally great friends.
Tahir, who was very effective on UAE wickets during his series against Pakistan, has given South Africa many breakthroughs in this tournament. The Lahore-born bowler’s biggest advantage is his ability to bowl googlies and he has foxed many batsmen in this World Cup. He was instrumental in rescuing South Africa from a near-defeat to Netherlands with a four-wicket spell.
When Ravichandran Ashwin came for the pre-match press conference, even he was asked about Warne’s presence in the South African team camp. “I don’t know what Warne was called for or what the management wanted him to do. Whatever it is, I don’t know what tips he can give in one day,” he said.
Finally, South African captain Faf Du Plessis was asked about Warne’s visit and remarked: “Warne met Tahir during his playing days with Hampshire and they know each other well. However, it wasn’t our decision to call him to come and bowl.”
After South Africa’s match against the Netherlands, Tahir had commented: “Any spinner can change the game. It’s been proven in T20 cricket. You just need to go into matches with a clear plan in T20 cricket and back yourself.”
Right now with backing and tips from Warne, will he strike against India?