Klusener set for final World Cup accolade (18 June 1999)

18 June 1999

Klusener set for final World Cup accolade

Trevor Chesterfield

LONDON (England) - Whatever 'Boys Own' hero image there is of Lance Klusener and what he managed to carve out of this World Cup, the essential fact is that he did it for his country.

While his often courageous swashbuckling acts came when South Africa needed them most, he has been yet denied a chance to play in the final through that madcap moment when he called for a single, ending in the bizarre and the unfortunate run out at Edgbaston on an early hazy evening at Edgbaston in Birmingham.

What may not be denied him though is the tournament's ultimate accolade: man of the series. This should be bestowed on him after the final tomorrow, or before the final.

But as little as the organisers have managed to get right this tournament anything in possible, and who is responsible for according the honour of man of the series could be left to either a panel of one or a fistful of TV personalities who have their own agendas. If it came down to the players, and a poll among them was conducted, it seems, the Natal all-rounder's name is topping their list of candidates.

Even Shane Warne doffed his blond locks at the man they have dubbed 'King Willow' and 'Lance-a-lot'.

Which should give added emphasis to the views of more than 500 pressmen from 12 countries, with a few grumbling dissenters, have agreed that Klusener should be named man of the tournament.

What it means is that when it comes to naming the World Cup '99 side Klusener's name is the first to be slotted into the sides of personal preference of those who have made an impression.

There are those who are going to argue over some choices, where debating points are not so clear on issue of form as opposed to tournament record. So, where do we go from here? Selection in this case is a personal one, but there has been some consensus on a number of names as the first lists, jotted down in haste are reviewed.

For openers we have Pakistan's Saeed Anwar who needed a little luck to regenerate his run-making abilities and as his partner Indian Saurav Ganguly, an accomplished strokeplayer whose record deserves recognition for the times he scored heavily against the stronger sides. He has the edge over Mark Waugh, whose record was not as handsome as it might have been.

Jacques Kallis, who bowled with cunning and skill through the pain barrier in Thursday's dramatic semi-final against Australia and batted with equal assured style comes in at three with the elegant and correct Rahul Dravid at four making up the top four.

Then we have the man who kept nursing New Zealand's hopes into the semi-finals against expectations, Roger Twose. His natural ability to lay the foundation for a match-winning score did much to preserve Kiwi interest on even the murky days. Evidence of this can be traced in his innings against India at Trent Bridge a week ago.

Steve Waugh, at six, has all the right credentials and as captain as well; Klusener we know all about: his quixotic nature of shyness off the field is balanced with his assured aggressiveness in a match situation. Likewise Moin Khan selects himself as does Saqlain Mushtaq for the role of the spinner.

As for the pacemen it is hard to look beyond New Zealand's Geoff Allott and South Africa's Allan Donald. They are preferred to the Glenn McGrath-Shoaib Akhtar combination.

Shoaib has another opportunity in 2003 if he manages to escape Pakistan's bizarre selection policy which often defies logic.

There is also space for the unlucky XI and he has easily found a place in that squad: some selections were easier than others. The need for a wicketkeeper has meant the omission of Mark Waugh for Ridley Jacobs while those who did much to help their countries get some recognition. Gavin Hamilton and Chris Cairns may be considered fringe performers, yet did much help advance the cause of smaller nations in the game.

World Cup XI: Saeed Anwar (Pak), Saurav Ganguly (India), Jacques Kallis (SA), Rahul Dravid (India), Roger Twose (NZ), Steve Waugh (Aust), Lance Klusener (SA), Moin Khan (Pak), Saqlain Mushtaq (Pak), Geoff Allott (NZ), Allan Donald (SA)

Unlucky WC XI: Neil Johnson (Zim), Ridley Jacobs (West Indies), Herschelle Gibbs (SA), Inzamam-Ul-Haq, Gavin Hamilton (Scotland), Jonty Rhodes (SA), Chris Cairns (NZ), Shane Warne (Aust), Wasim Akram (Pak, capt), Darren Gough (England), Glenn McGrath (Aust).

Source :: Trevor Chesterfield, Pretoria News