Tri-nation series: Finch says spinner Narine is major threat

TIMES INT'L
Sunil Narine
Sunil Narine

Australian opener Aaron Finch has described West Indian off-spinner Sunil Narine as a major threat in the Tri-nation series which also involves South Africa.

The batsman was quizzed by media operatives on Wednesday on the impact the mystery spinner can have on the series in conditions that should be conducive to spin bowling.

“Absolutely, any guy who can spin the ball both ways at good pace as well, is going to be a handful”, Finch said.

He added, “we have seen him in all formats of the game in the past and so he is someone we will put a lot of work into and make sure we are well prepared as we can to play him; but there are are also other guys who are quality players, so it is not just about concentrating on one player and you forget the others”.

Narine, who was banned by the International Cricket Council (ICC) for an illegal action in November last year has remodel his action, which has seen him take eleven scalps playing for the Kolkata Knight Riders in the recently concluded Indian Premier League (IPL).

The off-spinner has enjoyed considerable success against the men from “down under”, as in the ten One Day Internationals (ODIs) he has played against them; the bowler has taken 16 wickets at an impressive average of 20.81.

His record against the Australians in the Caribbean is even more impressive with 11 wickets from just five matches at an average of 14.45 runs per wicket; which was taken at economy rate of under 3.4, when they last toured in 2012.

The Australians will be in action on Sunday against the West Indians, while their final match in the Guyana leg will be against South Africa, before the series moves to St. Kitts and wraps up in Barbados.

The Tri-nation series bowls off on Friday with hosts West Indies taking on the number three ranked South Africa in a day/night match at Providence. The entire series of 10 matches will be day/night fixtures, the first such instance in the Caribbean.

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