South African spinner Tabraiz Shamsi has laughed off suggestions that South Africa go into the upcoming T20 series against Australia as underdogs.
Playing at home and ranked one position ahead of the Baggy Greens at fourth on the world rankings, Shamsi would appear to have a point.
Indeed, such was his confidence that Shamsi was prepared to suggest that South Africa never go into a game as underdogs.
Speaking to the media ahead of the first of three T20 Internationals that will all be played in Durban, Shamsi said: “Why would the South African cricket team be underdogs against anybody?
“Just look at the quality players we have in the changeroom. We have rested a few of our senior players, but the new guys coming in are not the weak links.
“So no, absolutely not, no matter who the opposition is or how good they are, we respect them, but we are not underdogs against any team in the world.”
The left-arm wrist-spinner who has taken 74 wickets in 61 T20 internationals was once the number one ranked bowler in the world in the short format. He has now dropped down to 12th, but despite that only Anrich Nortje from the South African attack, is ranked ahead of him.
“Huge credit must go to the management and coaching staff behind the scenes because we haven’t played international cricket for about four months,” he continued.
“We have had about four or five camps behind the scenes to keep the boys going and that takes a lot of work to organise.
“So, they have been quite active with allowing guys to play in various leagues because you can train as much as you want, [but] nothing replaces game time.
“For me, it was nice to go to Sri Lanka and play in the subcontinent. So, in terms of being game ready, it helps that I have played quite a lot of games in the last month rather than coming in fresh after a four-month break.
“The way the coaches have been putting us through our paces, I don’t think it feels like that to them either.
“It’s a series against Australia who are a very good team, and so are we.
“Over the years, playing against Australia has always been one of those series everyone is up for. Whether we are in a good or bad patch, whenever the Australians come around, we know everyone is up for it.
“I don’t get the feeling from the group or coaching staff this series is just a warm-up. The new guys who’ve come in have the potential to win games, it’s not a case of resting guys and giving guys caps just for the sake of it.
“From our side, we definitely here to win the series, our preparations have shown that,” he said.
