DURBAN (South Africa) Jan 9: South Africa are considering fielding an all-seam attack in the third Test against West Indies, captain Graeme Smith said on Wednesday.

The series, tied at 1-1, will be decided in the match, which starts in Durban on Thursday.

“The thought of playing another seamer is on our minds,” Smith told a news conference. “These days we always want to play a spinner, but spinners haven’t had much success here over the years.”

Spinner Paul Harris could be replaced by seasoned all-rounder Shaun Pollock, who has not played in any of South Africa’s six Tests this season. West Indies captain Chris Gayle, who broke a thumb in the second Test, ruled himself out of the match on Monday.

Teams (from):

SOUTH AFRICA: Graeme Smith (captain), Herschelle Gibbs, Hashim Amla, Jacques Kallis, A.B. de Villiers, Mark Boucher, Shaun Pollock, Ashwell Prince, Andre Nel, Paul Harris, Dale Steyn, Makhaya Ntini, Monde Zondeki.

WEST INDIES: Chris Gayle (captain), Dwayne Bravo, Patrick Browne, Shivnarine Chanderpaul, Pedro Collins, Fidel Edwards, Daren Ganga, Rawl Lewis, Runako Morton, Brenton Parchment, Daren Powell, Denesh Ramdin, Darren Sammy, Marlon Samuels, Devon Smith, Jerome Taylor.

Umpires: Aleem Dar (Pakistan) and Simon Taufel (Australia); Match referee: Roshan Mahanama (Sri Lanka).—Reuters

Opinion

Editorial

Lingering concerns
19 Sep, 2024

Lingering concerns

Embarrassed after failing to muster numbers during the high-stakes drama that played out all weekend, the govt will need time to regroup.
Pager explosions
Updated 19 Sep, 2024

Pager explosions

This dangerous brinkmanship is likely to drag the region — and the global economy — into a vortex of violence and instability.
Losing to China
19 Sep, 2024

Losing to China

AT a time when they should have stepped up, a sense of complacency seemed to have descended on the Pakistan hockey...
Parliament’s place
Updated 17 Sep, 2024

Parliament’s place

Efforts to restore parliament’s sanctity must rise above all political differences and legislative activities must be open to scrutiny and debate.
Afghan policy flux
Updated 18 Sep, 2024

Afghan policy flux

A fresh approach is needed, where Pakistan’s security is prioritised and decision taken to improve ties. Afghan Taliban also need to respond in kind.
HIV/AIDS outbreak
17 Sep, 2024

HIV/AIDS outbreak

MULTIPLE factors — the government’s inability to put its people first, a rickety health infrastructure, and...