Tabraiz Shamsi brings a new energy to the group: Farhaan Behardien

Tabraiz Shamsi has perhaps had the most memorable time of his cricketing career in the past couple of months. The left arm chinaman created a lot headlines in the IPL for his bowling as well as his on-field antics.

Post IPL, the chinaman was picked in the South African squad for the tri-series in West Indies and announced his arrival to the international cricket against Australia few days ago.

Shamsi was “chucked into the deep end” on Wednesday, according to his delighted teammate Farhaan Behardien, when handed an ODI debut against the world champion Australians in their tri-series clash at Providence Stadium.

The 26 year old spinner picked 1/26 in his 8 overs spell. The number isn’t extraordinary but the spin bowler kept the Aussies on toes. He began his international career with a sensational opening spell of 1/16 in four overs.

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Behardien, who was named man-of-the-match for his innings of 62, said the rookie spinner has made his presence known in the Proteas squad on his first international tour.

“He brings a new energy to the group,” Behardien said of his domestic teammate at the Centurion-based Titans. “There’s a little bit of mystery to him.

“(He is) a left-arm chinaman, kind of in the mould of Brad Hogg, he’s got fire in his belly and he’s always up for the game and always keen to put a performance in.

“It’s always gold dust to have a guy who spins the ball both ways. He’s tough to pick and I hope he’ll be tough to pick for the next couple of weeks.

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“He’s new so teams wouldn’t have too much footage on him. And hopefully the wickets will have a bit of assistance for him (for the rest of the series), but I’ve heard the wickets in Barbados and St Kitts are a bit more batter friendly. So he’ll have to work hard and work on his lengths.

“But as a team we’re really excited about having a left-arm wrist spinner in our starting XI. Hopefully he can be a member of our side for years to come.”