Proteas need to take a leap of faith on Dewald Brevis leg spin against Pakistan
The Proteas should consider utilising Dewald Brevis’ leg spin against Pakistan, as he could prove to be a dark horse in the Proteas bowling attack. Picture: Zabed Hasnain Chowdhury / NurPhoto / NurPhoto via AFP
Image: Zabed Hasnain Chowdhury / NurPhoto / NurPhoto via AFP
The batting ability of Dewald Brevis is well documented, but the Proteas may have just missed a trick by not throwing him the ball on day one of the first Test against Pakistan, in Lahore, on Sunday.
Pakistan reached stumps on day one on 313/5 as South Africa went with three specialist spinners, with Prenelan Subrayen, Simon Harmer, and Senuran Muthusamy picked. Between the spin trio, they bowled 74 of the 90 overs on the first day.
With Kagiso Rabada leading the attack, the only other seamer is all-rounder Wiaan Mulder. Even Proteas skipper Aiden Markram bowled an over on day one.
Brevis has always fancied himself as a leg spinner, but seldom gets the chance as he’s picked as just a batsman. After the CSA awards in July, however, Brevis spoke about his bowling ambitions.
Inspiration from Shane Warne: A Traditional Leg Spinner’s Journey
“I’m very excited, that’s very important for me actually [to bowl for the Proteas], because bowling has been a very big part of my journey and my life. I grew up bowling leg spin, no one taught me that. It just happened naturally.
“When the time is right, I definitely believe it will happen. I’m excited for the captain or coach to back me.”
While it’s well known that Brevis modelled his approach to batting on the legendary AB de Villiers, there was also another massive known that inspired the youngster on the bowling front.
“I always looked up to Shane Warne. Just from watching him bowl, I picked up things. I’m more of a traditional leg spinner. Someone that more bowls with more revs and flight. Not like too quick and darty.”