Former South African captain AB de Villiers has showered praise on Simon Harmer after the Proteas won the Test series against India by 2-0. Harmer bagged eight wickets in the opening Test match of the series at Eden Gardens, Kolkata, to play a key role in visitors’ 30-run win.
Subsequently, Harmer once again breathed down the neck of the Indian batters in Guwahati, taking nine wickets in the match. Overall, the off-spinner scalped 17 wickets in two matches at an impressive average of 8.94 and thus he was awarded the Player of the Series.
Harmer bowled slower in the second Test to get the best out of the wicket and the Indian batters looked at sea while facing him.
AB de Villiers said on his YouTube Channel while talking to Ravichandran Ashwin, “I’m a huge fan and I’ve got a nice story about him. We didn’t grow up together but he was at the school across the road from me. So, we big rivals growing up. I’ve always known about him and as he came through the ranks, we sort of became friends but he couldn’t break through. He went to county cricket, got hundreds of wickets, year in and year out, one of the star performers. We stayed in touch and I could sort of sense his frustration on not getting an opportunity. When he did, he could throw into the deep end over there in India and didn’t do incredibly well and he was out again. I felt for this guy and I always knew he was a match-winner.”
The former explosive batter added that it is a shame such a performance is coming so late in Harmer’s career.
“Coming against Pakistan now recently and also against India, sort of a breakthrough series for him. He really showed what he’s capable of and sometimes it’s all a player needs. It’s a shame for him it’s only happened now in his career. He’s not 25 anymore but I think he’s looked after his body well and he’s got a few years ahead of him. He’s a smart cricketer and can also hold the bat, chip in and definitely a player with character. So, I’m incredibly proud of him. Man of the series performance, it couldn’t have been scripted better for him,” he added.
India will next take on South Africa in a three-match ODI series.
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