Cricket World Cup: Imran Tahir Steps Up as South Africa's Key ODI Spinner
Since making his international debut for South Africa, spinner Imran Tahir has been a little inconsistent and found himself in and out of the Proteas side.
However, in the past year, he has been able to force his way back into the reckoning, and in the 2015 Cricket World Cup, he has proved himself to be capable of performing internationally.
That was especially apparent in the Proteas’ quarter-final against Sri Lanka, where he took four for 26 in 8.2 overs, an economy rate of just 3.12 runs per over.
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He also took his four wickets while conceding just two boundaries, something he has worked hard to correct having been guilty in the past of leaking runs too easily.
The way he took the Sri Lankan wickets, too, show how far he has come.
Lahiru Thirimanne was fooled by a little extra bounce and the ball stopping on him slightly to loop up a simple caught-and-bowled dismissal when well set on 41.
Both Mahela Jayawardene and Thisara Perera tried to attack Tahir against the spin and were caught, while Lasith Malinga had a heave and was caught at cover by David Miller.
In addition, he has shown a great ability to control the middle overs of a one-day international innings, a crucial time in which batsmen can really up their run-rate.
He has been rewarded throughout this World Cup, having now taken 15 wickets to lead all spinners, which includes five for 45 against the West Indies.
Perhaps the most revealing performance of his tournament so far came against India in their group game, where he took one for 48 but showed great control.
The Indians have always been good players of spin, but Tahir was able to strangle their innings and prevent them racking up an even bigger score than 307.
He has managed to take advantage of batsmen trying to be aggressive against his bowling, as his variations work in his favour and fool those who look to attack.
It is all a far cry from his first Test in Australia back in 2012, when he went wicketless in the game and conceded 260 from 37 combined overs.
That lack of consistency meant the Proteas had real concerns about their spin resources, which were in vast contrast to their overflowing battery of pace bowlers.
Instead, for the second World Cup in a row, having taken 14 in the 2011 tournament, Tahir has proven he can shine in ODIs.
He has embraced the challenge of a pressurised tournament such as the World Cup, and batsmen are struggling to work out how to play him.
It is a testament to his work ethic and his improvement as a bowler, and with the Proteas now in the semifinals, he will once again be seen as a key part of their bowling attack.
With South Africa closer than ever to a World Cup trophy, the timing could not have been better from their 35-year-old spinner to show he has plenty left to give.
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