ODIs give enough time to show skills - Tahir

As international cricket, particularly the fifty-over format, seeks relevance in a changing sporting culture at least one current South Africa player still thinks ODIs have their place.

"I know there are T20 leagues everywhere but one-day cricket is still there and it's not easy. People still like to watch one-day cricket. Fifty overs is a long time. It's a good challenge and you have enough time to show your skills," legspinner Imran Tahir said. "In T20, there's a time shortage because you've got four overs. In one-day cricket, you relax and the game goes long and you only win the game in the last 10 or 15 overs."

Tahir, who will be in action for South Africa in the upcoming ODI series against Australia, which starts from September 30, believes the format has become compelling again because bowlers can play a bigger role in what is seen as a batsman's game. Last June, playing conditions were altered to allow teams five fielders outside the circle in the last 10 overs of an ODI innings, in an effort to limit what had become a glut of runs in that period. As a result, Tahir said that even spinners could operate in the slog overs and, in so doing, hone their consistency.

"This 5-4 field makes our life really hard but it's nice to see they now allow five fielders outside the circle in the last 10 overs," he said.

"I have been bowling at the death, sometimes. You need to focus. You know if you miss your target, you will go for a boundary but it's also good because it makes you a really good bowler. You practise hard and you try to bowl in one area most of the time."

Despite that, Tahir maintains that his main role is not limiting run-scoring but taking wickets. "I never look to contain. I always try and take wickets," he said. And the numbers prove it.

Last year, Tahir was the second-highest wicket-taker in ODI cricket with 37 scalps from 22 matches, behind Mitchell Starc. This year he is already the third-highest with 21 wickets from 11 scalps. In the upcoming series, he will come up against the two players ahead of him on that list, John Hastings and Adam Zampa, and has nothing but praise for the Australia legspinner.

"Zampa is a very good bowler. He proved that over the last year, in the IPL and playing all over the world. I reckon he is a very good talent," Tahir said.

Despite the presence of Zampa and Tahir in the squads, the South Africa legspinner warned fans to not look forward to too much in terms of spin-bowling this weekend, during the first two ODIs of the five-match series. Tahir said he was not expecting much turn at Centurion and the Wanderers but hoped for more spin at the coastal venues later in the series.

There is also pressure on Tahir to maintain his position as first-choice spinner after South Africa's selectors packed the squad with other spin options in Aaron Phangiso and Tabraiz Shamsi.

"The selectors and coaches and captain have showed trust in us spinners which is a good sign and it's also becoming challenging for us as spinners against each other," Tahir said. "I like that because I can never be relaxed. Thanks to these guys, I want to keep improving. I am happy to play with these guys and I hope to see them do well for South Africa in future."