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Decider between the Kiwis & SAfricans today |
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August 25, 2000
SINGAPORE (AP) - South Africa meet New Zealand in the last league match of the Singapore Challenge 2000 triangular cricket series on Friday, which will determine who gets to play in the final.
Both sides, having lost their opening games to Pakistan, are without a point in the tournament. The winner of the Friday game qualifies to play Pakistan on Sunday.
Both teams have problems that need to be sorted out before they take the field.
South Africa's major problem is a non-performing middle-order. The New Zealand team's area of concern is its bowling attack, which didn't quite come to terms with the Kallang ground in its match against Pakistan.
South African bowlers had no such problem when they managed to restrict Pakistan to a reasonable score on Wednesday. Their openers did their job, but Jacques Kallis and Daryll Cullinan slowed down the tempo to such an extent before they got out that the later batsmen were left with too much to do.
Skipper Shaun Pollock has not ruled out a few changes in the side. Young opener Boeta Dipennaar may get his chance to perform on the big stage in place of the woefully out of form Cullinan, whose inability to get the ball away cost South Africa the match against Pakistan.
Other batsmen in the top-order should hold firm even though the South African team management may shuffle the batting order around to get the in-form players in early.
In bowling, Roger Telemachus did get a bit of stick and Makhaya Nitini lacked variation, but it is unlikely that coach Graham Ford will tinker with the attack too much in a crunch game.
South Africa will be looking to Pollock to contribute handsomely with the bat as well as the ball. The genial allrounder performed ordinarily with the ball and was bowled by Abdur Razzaq for a duck against the Pakistanis.
New Zealand may not have a great record against South Africa, but Stephen Fleming's side has shown that it is capable of upsetting the odds in a tight game.
The best thing about the Kiwis is that they have the right balance in the side. Their top-order includes big hitters like Nathan Astle and Craig McMillan as well as grafters like Roger Twose, who is capable of dropping anchor at one end.
The presence of Chris Cairns in the lineup gives New Zealand a cutting edge. Cairns' all-round ability will be crucial.
But New Zealand's bowling does not inspire much confidence. Cairns and Daniel Vettori may be class acts, but the rest of the attack lacks depth.
Coach David Trist may opt for an additional spinner in the form of Paul Wiseman if the conditions are hot and dry. It may be a good toss to lose for both captains on a wicket that has so far played a bit slow, making stroke-play a hazardous proposition.
Weather permitting, Kallang may well witness a pulsating game of cricket. |