Local favourite Keshav Maharaj is virtually guaranteed to feature against the Baggy Greens, while it increasingly looks as though Simon Harmer could join him in the attack. Harmer was a revelation for the Proteas last year on his return to Test cricket after spending an extended period focusing on county cricket in England. 

With the 37-year-old now playing Test cricket exclusively for South Africa, he has not featured for the national team since November last year, when he played a starring role against India in Guwahati.

Harmer took 3/64 and 6/37 in that Test, underlining just how much of a threat he can be when conditions are favourable.

Simon Harmer. Photo: Cricinfo

His experience and maturity have also turned him into something of a strike bowler for the Proteas, and he believes there could be enough assistance at Kingsmead to make life interesting for the spinners.

“Traditionally, the coastal wickets do offer more assistance for the spinners,” said Harmer.

“If I think back to the Bangladesh series, there was a bit of turn on offer there, but then against the West Indies in Durban there was also turn on offer. As a spinner, I obviously hope it turns, but I think the general rule of thumb is that the coastal wickets do offer a bit more for spinners.”

Harmer also expects there to be a hint of bounce in the surface, something he believes could add another layer of uncertainty for the batters.

“The bounce is probably similar to Australia. If I think back again to that Bangladesh series, I feel the subcontinent players play with very low hands because the ball doesn’t bounce as much,” Harmer added.

“So, there were a lot of balls off the glove in that series. I think non-subcontinent players probably play out in front of their body a lot more, whereas the guys from the subcontinent like to play the ball nice and late.”

Keshav Maharaj. Photo: Cricinfo

Harmer has faced Australia just once in Test cricket, during the drawn Test at the famous Sydney Cricket Ground in January 2023. On that occasion, however, he went wicketless.

This time around, he could have a far more prominent role to play, particularly after seeing the Australians struggle at times against spin during the recent ODI series.

The Proteas will take confidence from that, although Harmer is under no illusion that the Baggy Greens will be better prepared when the red-ball battle begins.

Simon Harmer. Photo: Cricinfo

“Based on the one-day series, they didn’t play it as well as they probably would have wanted to, but I think Test cricket is a completely different kettle of fish,” said Harmer.

“There are also different personnel that come into their Test set-up. From my perspective, I can only focus on what’s there. There aren’t too many transferable players between the Test and one-day set-ups.

“I hope they don’t play it well, but we’re expecting them to play it well.”

The first ball at Kingsmead is scheduled to be bowled at 9:30 on Friday morning.

OFM Sport/Morgan Piek cvs