Thursday, December 25, 1997

SIX OR STICKS: Ireland wicketkeeper Rebecca Rolls looks bewildered as New Zealand batswoman Debbie Hockley lashes out strongly for a boundary in the recent one-day match in the Women's World Cup tournament held in Bombay. Hockley top scored with 70.

Foreigners not wanted
for national post

JOHANNESBURG -- South African coaches have slammed plans to fill the national post with a foreigner.

Clive Barker resigned last weekend after a dismal showing by the African champions at the Confederations Cup, including a shock loss to the United Arab Emirates.

Barker, whose 44-month reign included victory in the 1996 African Nations Cup and qualification for the 1998 World Cup, said his successor should be a local.

National Football Association vice-president Irvin Khoza countered by claiming there was a huge gap between domestic and international coaching standards.

Gordon Igesund, who steered unfashionable Durban side Manning Rangers to the national league title this year, said it was a myth that foreign coaches were smarter than locals.

He was backed by Stanley ''Screamer'' Tshabalala, the national coach when South Africa returned to international football in 1992 after three decades of apartheid-induced isolation.

"We do not need overseas coaches who will alter our style. They come to South Africa for money and not the love of the game,'' said the man who was fired for assaulting a journalist.

Trott Moloto, another coach shortlisted for a post expected to be filled on January 3, said if South Africa hires a foreign coach it should also have a foreign head of state.

Dutch duo Jo Bonfrere and Clemens Westerhof, Englishman Terry Venables, Russian Victor Bondarenko and Frenchman Philippe Troussier have all been named as possible successors to Barker.

South Africa have a regional championship date with Namibia on January 24, defend their African title in Burkina Faso the following month and face hosts France, Denmark and Saudi Arabia in the first round of the World Cup next June. -- Sapa-AFP

Five youngsters included on merit

JOHANNESBURG -- Jubilant South African cricket chiefs declared this week that in a few short years they had achieved their big breakthrough in knocking down traditional racial barriers in the game.

Announcing the 14-strong national squad to play in the MTN U19 World Cup next month, United Cricket Board president Krish Mackerdhuj told a press conference: "Five youngsters of colour are in the squad, chosen entirely on merit."

And at the same conference, selection convener Clive Rice told cricket writers the national development programme had unearthed a huge pool of talent.

"We have one young black fast bowler who reminds me very much of West Indian captain Courtney Walsh, and we have two wristspinners who could prove to be South African versions of Shane Warne and Michael Bevan."

Mackerdhuj, who will be quitting his post in two to three months' time to head for Tokyo as South Africa's ambassador, said he would be sorry to leave cricket.

"But at the same time I will go knowing that to a large degree we have been successful in realising the vision for cricket in South Africa we set out just a few years ago to achieve.

"We set out to bring the game of cricket to the people by the turn of the century, to bring it to people of all races, and now in these names we announce today we have chosen players only on the basic of talent and merit, and five of them are youngsters of colour.

"The trend now is irreversible, and something to be proud of."

The board's managing director, Ali Bacher, agreed: "This is the first time we can really see black players coming through at top level, playing with distinction for their country. I am delighted to have been part of the process."

Rice said there was an abundance of talent in both the Coca-Cola South African U19 side for the World Cup, and the intake for the 1998 Plascon Academy.

Among those he singled out were Victor Mpitsang of Free State, the young fast bowler who had reminded him of West Indian paceman Walsh.

"When I first saw him bowling last year, he struck me as very exciting. Now he is even better after having filled out and increasing his strength.

"I think he is a really exciting prospect. One day Allan Donald is going to come to the end of his career, and Victor could well be the bowler to take his place."

Rice was also enthusiastic about wrist spinners Gulam Bodi of Gauteng and Jacques Rudolph of Northerns.

"Bodi bowls a good chinaman and could well prove to be South Africa's Michael Bevan, while Rudolph could develop into our Shane Warne.

"These two youngsters are going to be strike bowlers in the U19 World Cup. The young batsmen facing them won't have had much experience in facing spinners like them, and I think they could be key figures in the tournament."

Gauteng's Grant Elliott, John Kent of Natal and Northerns' Johan Myburgh were among the exciting young batsmen in the squad, which was rich in talent.

SQUADS

Under-19 World Cup: Matthew Street (Gauteng, capt), Gulam Bodi (Gauteng), Murray Creed (EP), Grant Elliott (Gauteng), Andrew Gait (Natal), Michael Lumb (Gauteng), John Kent (Natal), Victor Mpisang (Free State), Johan Myburgh (Northerns), Albert Nkomo (WP), Robin Petersen (EP), Jacques Rudolph (Northerns), Wasfie Samsodien (WP), Morne van Wyk (Free State). Manager: Fuad Waggie. Coaches: Anton Ferreira, Vincent Barnes. Physiotherapist: Shane Jabar.

1998 Plascon Academy intake: Charl Willoughby, Charl Langeveldt (Boland), Conrad Jantjes (Easterns), Robin Petersen, Geoff Love, Justin Kemp, Ashwell Prince (EP), Morne van Wyk, Chrisjan Voster, Victor Mpisang (Free State), Gerard Brophy, Gulam Bodi, Grant Elliott (Gauteng), Andrew Gait, John Kent (Natal), Martin van Jaarsveld, David Townsend (Northerns), Renier Munnik (WP), Loots Bosman (Griquas), plus a player from the Kenya 1999 World Cup squad. Director: Clive Rice. Coaches: Hylton Ackerman, Vincent Barnes, Mark O'Donnell.

Warne looms as bogey man for SA

McGrath still doubtful Test starter

MELBOURNE -- South Africa are hoping that doubts over the fitness of Australia's premier strike bowler Glenn McGrath and the Australian policy of fielding separate one-day and Test sides will help them take the first Test which starts here tomorrow.

McGrath and leg-spinning genius Shane Warne, are undeniably Australia's two match-winning bowlers, but McGrath has played just two limited-overs internationals in the last six injury-plagued weeks.

McGrath, who captured 36 wickets at 19.47 in this year's Ashes series in England, is trying to convince selectors of his fitness this week, but the odds are against him being at his best when Hansie Cronje's men take on the top-rated Aussies.

There's also the possible disruptive effects of Australia's new policy of splitting their one-day and Test teams -- meaning that key men, Mark Taylor and Ian Healy, along with Matthew Elliott and Greg Blewett have been kept out of the Australian limited-over team in recent weeks.

South Africa, in contrast, largely have kept together their Test and one-day teams, with only out-of-form Adam Bacher left out of the abbreviated game.

They currently lead the triangular one-day series, which also involves New Zealand.

Shaun Pollock and Lance Klusener struck form against Australia A in Brisbane last weekend and along with potent strike bowler Allan Donald shape up as a cohesive, confident threesome to share the new ball against some less-than-certain Australian batsmen, most noticeably one-day skipper Steve Waugh.

As always, Warne looms as South Africa's bogey man with his legspin wiles, yet Cronje is confident his team have finally mastered the art of playing against wristspinners and believes Warne will not pose as great a threat as when he claimed 43 wickets in their last eight Test meetings.

Cronje believes facing Australia A legspinner Stuart MacGill and a recent tour of Pakistan have adequately prepared his side to handle Warne.

The South Africans drew their lead-up four-day match against Australia A with MacGill returning the unflattering figures of two for 69 and two for 150.

"I do feel coming back from Pakistan and also playing against MacGill in Queensland has helped us prepare a lot for this match," Cronje said.

"I think all of our players have improved against spin over the years. I'm not saying Shane won't be a factor, I'm saying our players play spin a lot better and it's a question of how patient we are against him.

"Warne's obviously a fine bowler and he's taken a lot of wickets against us."

The match would also be of sentimental value for the South Africans after their previous Test match here was all but washed out.

South Africa drew their last series here 1-1 in 1993-94, but Australia won 2-1 in the republic earlier this year.

Cronje said he was looking forward to completing a Test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.

"Three years ago I was very disappointed for us because the game was all but washed out," Cronje said.

"So it's fantastic to be back in Melbourne for the Boxing Day Test match."

Australia will be seeking a record ninth consecutive series victory under captain Mark Taylor against South Africa in three Tests over the next month.

There have been 62 Tests between the countries with Australia winning 33 and South Africa 14 with 15 drawn.

In 26 Test meetings in Australia since 1910, the home side have won 14 with South Africa taking six and six drawn.

Australia have won five of eight Tests played at the MCG, with South Africa winning twice and the other drawn.

TEAMS

Australia (from): Mark Taylor (captain), Steve Waugh, Andrew Bichel, Greg Blewett, Simon Cook, Matthew Elliott, Ian Healy, Michael Kasprowicz, Glenn McGrath, Ricky Ponting, Paul Reiffel, Shane Warne, Mark Waugh.

South Africa (from): Gary Kirsten, Adam Bacher, Jacques Kallis, Daryll Cullinan, Hansie Cronje (captain), Jonty Rhodes, Herschelle Gibbs, Brian McMillan, Shaun Pollock, Lance Klusener, Dave Richardson, Pat Symcox, Paul Adams.

Barker changes from hot to cold

JOHANNESBURG -- Former Bafana Bafana coach Clive Barker makes a radical change to his sporting interests next month.

The man who masterminded South Africa's qualification for the 1998 World Cup has confirmed he would be competing in the Dusi Canoe Marathon.

Speaking from his Durban home, Barker commented: "I felt I needed a complete break from everything, then the chance came up to partner Oscar Chalupsky in the Dusi. It was something I just couldn't refuse.

"I suppose I have been in so much hot water recently that a little cold Dusi water would be a welcome change!," he laughed, adding succinctly "Only the depth varies!"

SA water sports legend Chalupsky will act as Barker's personal canoeing trainer when the pair get down to serious training after Christmas.

Dusi fans will recall Chalupsky's remarkable effort to shepherd Naas Botha unscathed through the three-day event last year. It so nearly paid off, but after two totally "dry" days Botha tasted the dreaded Dusi water for the first time, and he and his partner lost the celebrity challenge to Bruce Fordyce and Neil Evans. -- Sapa

Culbert receives media honour

CAPE TOWN -- Jevon le Roux from Jeffreysbay was the main attraction at the 11th annual ASP Africa surfing awards banquet in Muizenburg this week.

Twenty-four hours earlier, Le Roux had clinched South Africa's most prestigious surfing title when he was crowned the 1997 ASP Africa Series Champion.

The 22-year-old, who is rated 70th in the world pro rankings, is the first Eastern Cape surfer to win the title.

Port Shepstone's Heather Clark came from behind to capture the Series title for women, while Durban's Travis Logie confirmed his outstanding potential by convincingly outpointing his opponents in the under-20 pro juniors.

Other awards presented at the function were:

Media Personality of the Year: Steve Culbert, Daily Dispatch.

Surfabout Rookie Pro of the Year: Byron Howarth, Durban.

Highest World Ranked Pro Surfer: Paul Canning, Durban (31st) and Greg Emslie, East London (36th). -- Sapa

Rindel and Elworthy added to SA A squad

JOHANNESBURG -- Northerns one-day stars Mike Rindel and Steve Elworthy have been added to the current 13-man South Africa A squad for the three one-day internationals against the touring West Indies A side.

United Cricket Board managing director Ali Bacher, announcing the decision by Peter Pollock and his selection panel at a press conference, said the 13-man squad which had done duty in East London would go on to Cape Town for the final four-day "Test".

The final team would be announced on the morning of the match, which starts tomorrow.

Rindel and Elworthy, he said, were being added for the one-day series "in recognition of their outstanding performances which have helped make Northerns an outstanding one-day side".

The final squad of 13 will be chosen from the following 15 players for the one-day internationals in Durban on January 2, Port Elizabeth on January 4 and Johannesburg on January 7:

Dale Benkenstein (Natal, capt), Gerhardus Liebenberg (Free State), Neil Johnson (Natal), Neil McKenzie (Gauteng), HD Ackerman (WP), Derek Crookes (Gauteng), Nic Pothas (Gauteng), Ashwell Prince (EP), Piet Botha (Border), Clive Eksteen (Gauteng), Roger Telemachus (Boland), Mornantau Hayward (EP), Brett Schultz (WP), Steve Elworthy (Northerns), Mike Rindel (Northerns). Manager: Henry Paulse. Coach: Duncan Fletcher. Physiotherapist: Shane Jabar. -- Sapa

Former Aussie star
singles out Cullinan

MELBOURNE -- Dean Jones, former Australian Test star, is prepared to put into words what most have been thinking but not wanting to say for fear of upsetting the also-rans: "Australia-South Africa, blimey mate, it's got to be a world championship. Just a pity its a three and not a five-day series."

Never one to beat about the bush, Jones concedes that there are still a couple of unanswered questions -- Australia haven't played India in India for eight years and South Africa have yet to tackle West Indies in a full-scale series -- but in the interim he is satisfied that the two have done enough over the past 12 months to suggest they are the best in the world.

Jones, who played 52 Tests and 165 one- dayers for Australia, accepts that at 36 his own international days are over, but he is still a prolific run-getter for Victoria.

With over 9000 runs to his credit, Jones tops Victoria's all-time run-scoring list and his Shield average of 42,64 last summer shows that he is a long way from being a spent force.

And unlike most, who have singled out paceman Allan Donald as South Africa's dangerman, he "fingers" middle-order batsman, Daryll Cullinan, as the man most likely to succeed this series.

"Cullinan has got class," he says. "Apart from being a fluent strokeplayer he knows how to work the ball around and that's a big plus on our big fields."

Jones is aware that Shane Warne continues to hang over Cullinan like a black cloud, "but I don't think Warney is bowling nearly as well as he has in the past and he has a neck problem."

Although he bowled in Australia's net session at the MCG yesterday morning Warne was in obvious discomfort and according to Jones the neck stiffness is not something new. "He's been troubled for some time," he said.

Whether 100 percent or not however, the Warne factor can never be ruled out of a series which Jones is predicting will end up 1-0 either way.

A Melbournite, Jones reckons that given the make-up of the South African side, their best chance of success will be at the MCG, while Sydney will favour the home side. The third venue -- Adelaide -- he believes is most likely to produce a draw.

Happy to be back at the Australian helm after being deposed by Steve Waugh for the World Series one-dayers, Mark Taylor is anticipating a tougher than usual contest.

"I know the South Africans," he said. "They're very much like us. They don't like losing. Most teams don't but I think we're a bit more intense about it.

"We beat them 2-1 at home last summer and that cut them deeply. You can bet they've been working hard on ways to turn the table."

Taylor however doesn't believe that any one man, be it Donald or Warne, holds the key to the series. "Anybody relying on one man to do the job for them could find themselves in trouble," he said.

With this in mind he said the question mark hanging over Glenn McGrath's fitness would have to be fully erased before the paceman is cleared.

"Otherwise we will probably go into the first Test with the same line-up we had against New Zealand in Perth last time out," he said. "And that's not a bad thing." -- Sapa

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