Pothas: Proteas right to expect plenty of spin in Sri Lanka

Cricket365
July 8, 2018

Former Proteas wicketkeeper Nic Pothas believes the Proteas will face plenty of spin in the two Test matches in Sri Lanka and are right to expect the pitches to heavily favour the slow-bowlers.

Pothas, who played three ODIs for the Proteas in the year 2000, was Sri Lanka’s interim coach for more than six months in 2017 before departing in April this year.

The former gloveman said it would be foolish for the home side to not prepare flat surfaces as the Proteas have arguably the best pace attack in the world.

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In quotes published by City Press, Pothas said: “Wherever you go in the world, people play to their strengths. If you go to South Africa, you get bouncy pitches. I expect the wickets to spin and for them to make Galle spin.

“This will be Rangana Herath’s last stint in Sri Lanka, so they’ll try to make it a memorable one for him.

“Also, with the pace attack South Africa has, they’ll try to make the wickets as flat as possible. It’s hot in Sri Lanka and the fast bowlers will have to bowl in short spells, so they will need spin.”

The 40-year-old Herath, according to Pothas, will again be the main threat to the Proteas in the series that starts in Galle on Thursday.

The left-arm spinner has 418 wickets in 90 matches in the longest format.

Pothas said of Herath: “The scoreboard doesn’t really move when he’s bowling. He bowls stumps to stumps and he’s got three modes of dismissal with one that turns and one that doesn’t.

“You don’t get to be one of the best left-arm spinners in history without being good, so he’s threat number one.”