South Africa looking for two points (9 June 1999)

9 June 1999

South Africa looking for two points

Trevor Chesterfield

LONDON - South Africa may have enjoyed a rare spell of sunshine at Edgbaston and even the temperatures nudged its way into the low 20s but the batting line up formula is unlikely to change for the Super Six game against New Zealand at Edgbaston today.

Summer, noticeable by its long periods of absence made a reluctant curtsey and from hints dropped by Hansie Cronje, there is going to be no change to the side which knocks sideways suggestions of Gary Kirsten being replaced at this stage of the World Cup.

No thoughts of a reshuffle of the order either: Jacques Kallis moved to three and Lance Klusener to six ether. Which is about as unconventional as it is going to get.

What can be expected is the way South Africa plan to step up the pressure against the luckless Kiwis who, if they follow a similar team selection format, and their coach Steve Rixon has not suggested otherwise, are to field the same side which had the rough end of the abandoned match against Zimbabwe at Headingley in Leeds on Monday.

The Kiwis, whatever their personal thoughts of the weather debacle at Leeds, are not grumbling about their fate and how defeat in this game could all but wreck their World Cup semi-final hopes. And as Geoff Allott attempts to become the first bowler in the seven tournaments to take more than 20 wickets and establish an impressive record, South Africa eyed the pitch with as much interest as their antipodean rivals.

A bit brown, some touches of green and a dry outfield. Just the sort of surface to suit South Africa's swing and pace attack, yet Allott apart, the Kiwis bowling has not been noticeably penetrative. Containing is a word which accurately sums up their ability to strangle sides hoping to make a feast of runs and find they do not have the batsmen to work the ball around.

Zimbabwe discovered this on Sunday at Headingley and South Africa could find themselves similarly inclined. Allott with 18 wickets has equalled Indian seamer Roger Binny's record which has stood since 1983 and at some stage today should go one or two ahead of that figure. There is a claim by Sri Lanka that Asantha de Mel also picked up 18 wickets in the 1983 tournament, but a careful examination of the records gives him 17.

And South Africa know all about his batting abilities as well the way he hung around in the Test for 101 minutes on the Eden Park 'glue pot' for that match-saving duck back in March.

Not that it really matters, both sides are looking for two points: South Africa have a tougher game looming on Sunday against Australia, a side that is now re-established as second favourites after Pakistan's defeat by India at Old Trafford; a result which has come at the wrong time for the competitive Wasim Akram.

As for New Zealand they need at least two points in they hope to climb out of the watery grave their hopes were all but drowned in at Headingley. There's no sympathy for other teams' misfortunes in the South African camp, which is as it should be. What is a bother, however, is whether the firm of Gary Kirsten and Herschelle Gibbs can get some form of platform working on a pitch which promises to be a little batsmen friendly.

Beating Pakistan the way they did at Trent Bridge has hitched the South African confidence a few notches higher than it was after defeat by Zimbabwe at Chelmsford and then being reduced to 58 for five. What would really give the side a lift is a big partnership from the openers. They look good in the nets; bat with style and do all the technically correct things.

It is easy to feel a touch of frustration, if not anguish, for them. It is not for a want of trying: just a bit of luck and the rest should slip into place, as easy as pulling on a batting glove. It has created an uncomfortable feeling and pressure. Perhaps against the Kiwis the luck they need may return. And the two points would come in handy as well.

Source :: Trevor Chesterfield, Pretoria News