Proteas add Dane Piedt in the squad for 3rd Test against New Zealand

The Proteas have called up off-spinner Dane Piedt for the third and last Test of the series against New Zealand which gives them the option of an extra spinner. Cricket South Africa has named him in the squad for the third Test and will join the squad during the second Test if his visa gets approved in time.

This is a golden opportunity for Piedt as he has been called up ahead of chinaman Tabraiz Shamsi who toured Australia and featured in a day-night Test at Adelaide, and veteran leg-spinner Imran Tahir who has been out of the longer version of the game since 2015.

Dane was last seen in Test action against the Kiwis in 2016 after which he was dropped from the side as the board decided to opt for Keshav Maharaj instead. Maharaj is currently the only specialist spinner in the South African side and the 27-year-old is expected to assist Maharaj on the slow and turning pitches.

The Proteas expected seamer-friendly conditions in New Zealand which prompted them to include six pacers in the squad. But things turned out to be different at the venue and they are now considering playing two spinners to keep up with the conditions in New Zealand for the third Test which gets underway at Seddon Park in Hamilton from March 25-29.

Piedt had a good time with his domestic franchise, the Cobras. Though they could not win the championship but they put up a good show in the second half of the season. The offie took 28 wickets of which 17 came in the second half of the season. He is expected to repeat similar performances against the Kiwis who would also be looking to play two spinners considering the conditions. The series is currently tied 0-0 after the first Test ended in a draw.