Leie: Spinners must control middle overs
Rookie South Africa spinner Eddie Leie has given his job a lot of thought ahead of the T20 and ODI series against New Zealand, saying his role is to control the middle overs and take wickets if possible.
Leie has played just one T20, against Bangladesh, but took three wickets for just 16 runs and was very impressive, and hopes he will be able to add to the team against the Kiwis, while doing the job he's been assigned on home soil.
Leie said: "The role of a spinner doesn't change – it doesn't matter where you play in the world or in the country. For a spinner, it's bowling the middle overs and trying to control from overs seven to 13.
"It doesn't matter what the conditions look like, you have to find a way to control the middle overs. T20 is about flair – you try to mix it up as much as you can; keep the batsmen guessing.
"You can't bowl the same thing all the time because they can just line you up so you have to mix it up and if you can get wickets in the middle overs, you ultimately will control that middle period."
Leie is set to keep his place in the side, especially as JP Duminy has been ruled out thanks to paternity leave, so Aaron Phangiso will have to battle for a place as well.
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