South Africa crack spin code

It may seem cruel that the first thing South Africa had to do after crashing out of the 2015 World Cup, was to start preparing for another tournament - the 2016 World T20 - but it has provided purpose for their limited-overs endeavours. In Bangladesh, South Africa learned lessons they can apply as they work towards India - both for the tour later in the year and the big tournament next March.

South Africa can produce spinners
In an unprecedented move, South Africa picked three spinners for the second T20I and the move paid off. Legspinner Eddie Leie and left-armer Aaron Phangiso claimed six wickets between them - the most by South African spinners in a T20 - and took advantage of the significant turn on offer. Offspinner JP Duminy did not have the same success in that match, but had an all-round good game in the first T20I.

Leie's successful introduction to international cricket, Phangiso's continued consistency and Duminy's development into a genuine allrounder has given South Africa options ahead of the World T20. Legspinner Imran Tahir will lead South Africa's spin attack in the tournament, and with a pace pack that is working on subtle arts - offcutters and slower balls - they could have a varied, dynamic bowling group at the World T20.

They can play spin too
Somewhat unfairly, South African batsmen have been labelled flat-flooted, but the dancing shoes of AB de Villiers and JP Duminy along with the twirling wrists of Hashim Amla have changed that perception. Now Quinton de Kock and Faf du Plessis have joined those ranks.

Facing Bangladesh's numerous spinners on a sluggish pitch in the first game and a turning one in the second, South Africa did not have rings rung around them. Their batsmen showed patience and poise to wait out the quiet periods and did not play into the hosts' hands, but into the gaps, rotating strike when they could not find boundaries. Du Plessis said the way the two line-ups played spin was the "biggest difference" between the sides. While Bangladesh's batsmen were attacking and relied on power, South Africa's showed greater astuteness and in the end, scored far more runs.

AB de Villiers a viable opening option
The rationale that a team's best batsman must spend the most time at the crease seems obvious but South Africa's coach Russell Domingo relied on statistics to prove de Villiers bats better in the middle-order. He has now tossed that notion and decided to experiment with giving de Villiers more crease time and it could be a clever ploy.

De Villiers had success with de Kock in the second game and their opening stand of 95 set South Africa up for victory and provided a glimpse of what could be if they stay together longer. Both are gifted, attacking players who can use the first six overs to take the game away from the opposition. Though Amla is de Kock's regular partner, at a World T20 in the subcontinent, a less circumspect option could be the way to go.

Rilee Rossouw more versatile than he seems
All that shifting made it seem as though there would not be place for Rilee Rossouw, who has proved himself an elegant stroke-player and quick accumulator, after an unsteady start to his international career. Four ducks in six innings have now been forgotten as Rossouw has proved that he is not just willing, but can, bat lower down if needs be.

Though he does not normally operate as a finisher, he was on hand to end the innings both times and did so admirably. His unbeaten 31 of 21 balls was crucial to South Africa passing 150 in the first match and his 19 off 6 in the second game was the perfect foil to David Miller. Rossouw may not have a set spot in the batting order but that may suit a man who is showing he can be used anywhere.

Wayne Parnell should be put on notice
Picking a negative from South Africa's performances would seem harsh but the form of Wayne Parnell has to come under scrutiny. In the absence of the senior pacemen, Dale Steyn, Morne Morkel and Vernon Philander, and with the next tier, Kyle Abbott, David Wiese, Kagiso Rabada, breathing down his neck, Parnell had the ideal opportunity to distinguish himself but he did not.

He does not take the new ball and neither does he bowl at the death, which makes it difficult for him to set the tone or have the last word, so his only option is to be a strong first-change. In the first match, his opening over was the pressure reliever though he did manage to pull it back later on. In the second, he was South Africa's most expensive bowler. Parnell is capable of producing reverse swing, searing yorkers and bouncers but when he gets it wrong, it can get ugly. Discipline is still lacking in his approach but more regular game time could rectify that and indications are he may get that over the next few months.