South Africa's Versatile Bowling Attack a Luxury, Even If It's Not Complete

Opposition bowlers must dread looking at South Africa’s batting lineup. Even if you get a wicket, you’re going to be the man responsible for bringing to the crease one of Faf du Plessis, Hashim Amla, AB de Villiers and, when he’s fit, JP Duminy.

It’s enough to make your eyes water, but that’s not all South Africa has going for them. While the bowling lineup is hardly to be scoffed at, the versatility of the quicks is often forgotten. However, at the second Test against the West Indies in Port Elizabeth, South Africa showed once again why they are the No. 1 Test team in the world.

After a painful three days, with rain delays and an impressive partnership between Kraigg Brathwaite and Marlon Samuels, who put together 176 runs, South Africa finally made a breakthrough on the fourth afternoon.

Vernon Philander started the car, trapping Samuels' leg before, and then Morne Morkel backed him up by getting Brathwaite caught in the slips.

On Day 3, when almost all of the day’s play was lost to rain, Allan Donald expressed his delight at having bowlers who can be so versatile when circumstances demand.

"Morne bowled an inspiring spell when he came on, it was a reminder that his lines around the wicket and the short ball barrage can do the damage. It's always hard work here at St. George's. Bowlers have to bowl two lengths on this track and you have to be creative in your thinking and stay very patient.  

"With Dale, he's the sort of bowler who picks his time and knows when to step it up and bowl at his optimum pace. Morne is completely different, but it requires skill and aggression."

There is not much South Africa’s bowlers could have done differently to get stuck into the Brathwaite and Samuels partnership. The visitors more than made up for the impatience which led to their undoing during the Centurion Test. Such are the ebbs and flows of Test cricket, and it’s the kind of thing that will get ordinary sides down.

But South Africa are no ordinary side. What distinguishes them from other teams is that they have the luxury of a versatile bowling attack, even without having a reliable front-line spinner.  

In Centurion, it was Philander and Dale Steyn which ripped the West Indies apart. At St. George’s, it was Morkel’s exploitation of varying lengths and aggressive bowling that did the trick. To have three bowlers who can all contribute on any given day, on any given surface, is a great luxury. Achintya D had an interesting take in comparing India's bowling "attack" to that of England and South Africa:

That South Africa have reached the No. 1 ranking without even having a full-time spinner, is testament to their greatness. Throughout their rise to the top, they have tried various spin options, but not a single one has cemented his spot as a premier go-to bowler. Pleasures of Intimacy notes South Africa's bowling attack is not limited to one seamer:

While Imran Tahir did contribute with three wickets in the first innings of the second Test against the West Indies, he was hardly persistently threatening. Dane Piedt made a stellar debut against Zimbabwe earlier in the year, but he is still a rookie and has only just returned from injury.

South Africa’s three-prong attack squad are all heading into their 30s, when this team does find a spinner to complement them, they’ll be living out their final years of Test cricket in even more glory than that which already enshrines them. Le mot jest feels the bowlers are "injecting fresh life" into the game:

For now, they will busy themselves with trying to get a result from a match which looked dead set for a draw. Having reduced the Windies from 231-3 to 275-9 in a matter of 14 overs on Day 4, South Africa do have the chance to eke out what seemed like an unlikely win at the start of play.

There is supposed to be some rain about on the final day but not so heavy that it will wash out entire sessions. If ever there was a side that could make such magic happen, it’s South Africa.

All quotes and information obtained firsthand.