South Africa, renowned for its fast and bouncy pitches, presents a formidable challenge for spinners aiming for success. Spinners find it challenging to extract consistent turn and bounce, reducing their impact compared to pacers.
MORE: Bet here on India vs South Africa Test series and other cricket matches!
Moreover, the climate in South Africa often leads to dry and hard pitches. The cloudy conditions make it even more difficult for the slower bowlers to weave magic on a certain Centurion or a New Wanderers track.
They thrive on turning tracks and dust bowls, but the firm nature of the wicket makes it difficult to generate spin consistently in South Africa.
However, legendary spinners have found success in these testing conditions as well. Shane Warne leads the charts with a massive 61-wicket haul in just 22 innings with an average of 24.31. India's very own Anil Kumble is second on the list with 45 scalps to his name.
The third player on the list is Australia's Clarence Grimmett who picked up a whopping 44 wickets in just 10 innings. He was a leg-spinner, who plied his trade in the 1930s and boasts of having an average of 14.59 and a SR of just 47.2.
LIST: Top 10 most successful spinners in South Africa
| Player | Span | Mat | Inns | Balls | Runs | Wkts | BBI | BBM | Ave | Econ | SR | 5W | 10W |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SK Warne (AUS) | 1994-2006 | 12 | 22 | 3681 | 1483 | 61 | 6/86 | 8/166 | 24.31 | 2.41 | 60.3 | 2 | 0 |
| A Kumble (IND) | 1992-2007 | 12 | 24 | 3815 | 1441 | 45 | 6/53 | 8/113 | 32.02 | 2.26 | 84.7 | 1 | 0 |
| CV Grimmett (AUS) | 1935-1936 | 5 | 10 | 2077 | 642 | 44 | 7/40 | 13/173 | 14.59 | 1.85 | 47.2 | 5 | 3 |
| M Muralidaran (SL) | 1998-2002 | 6 | 10 | 2119 | 911 | 35 | 6/39 | 11/161 | 26.02 | 2.57 | 60.5 | 3 | 1 |
| C Blythe (ENG) | 1906-1910 | 7 | 13 | 1858 | 716 | 33 | 7/46 | 11/118 | 21.69 | 2.31 | 56.3 | 3 | 2 |
| R Benaud (AUS) | 1957-1958 | 5 | 9 | 1937 | 658 | 30 | 5/49 | 9/144 | 21.93 | 2.03 | 64.5 | 4 | 0 |
| NM Lyon (AUS) | 2011-2018 | 9 | 17 | 2201 | 1113 | 28 | 5/130 | 6/178 | 39.75 | 3.03 | 78.6 | 1 | 0 |
| WJ O'Reilly (AUS) | 1935-1936 | 5 | 10 | 1502 | 460 | 27 | 5/20 | 8/104 | 17.03 | 1.83 | 55.6 | 2 | 0 |
| JH Wardle (ENG) | 1956-1957 | 4 | 8 | 1118 | 359 | 26 | 7/36 | 12/89 | 13.80 | 1.92 | 43.0 | 3 | 1 |
| IAR Peebles (ENG) | 1927-1931 | 8 | 14 | 1510 | 712 | 23 | 6/63 | 7/138 | 30.95 | 2.82 | 65.6 | 1 | 0 |
MORE: What is Rohit Sharma's record in Test matches in South Africa?
Where can I watch India and South Africa on TV and online in India?
Fans can stream the 1st Test between India and South Africa online on the Disney+ Hotstar. The match will be streamed on the app, as well as website. The Boxing Day Test match will be telecasted in various languages - English, Hindi, and Vernacular.
| Tournament | Date | Online stream | TV Broadcast |
|---|---|---|---|
| India vs SA 1st Test | December 26, 2023 | Disney+ Hotstar | Star Sports Network |
MORE: What is Kohli's record in Test Matches in South Africa?
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