SA spoilt for choice ahead of Dutch clash

MOHALI, Mar 1 (AFP): South Africa go into their clash against the Netherlands Thursday with the enviable choice of a three-prong spin attack or mixing it up to boost their pace options. The Proteas fielded three spinners in their World Cup opener against the West Indies in Delhi and the move paid off, with Pakistan-born leg-spinner Imran Tahir grabbing four wickets and off-break bowler Johan Botha taking two. But South Africa also have genuine pace in their ranks in Dale Steyn and Morne Morkel and have the option of Lonwabo Tsotsobe, who has taken 36 wickets in just 19 one-day internationals at an impressive strike-rate of 26.2. "South African cricket has been categorised by many things during my 15 years, but it is fair to say that spin bowling has not been one of them," Proteas' all-rounder Jacques Kallis said. "Fast bowling has been one of the cornerstones of our success. But now circumstances have changed and we have conviction and faith in our three spinners." Skipper Graeme Smith said the spin attack against the West Indies, which also featured the wicketless Robin Petersen, who bowls left-arm orthodox, had enabled Steyn to make an impact, taking three wickets in the seven-wicket win. He said he would stay flexible, pledging to reassess options ahead of the Netherlands clash, adding that paceman Tsotsobe, who did not feature against the West Indies, would play a major role at the World Cup.