Cronje wants more from bowlers

By Ray Williams

LONDON -- Although his bowlers have done yeoman service thus far, South African captain Hansie Cronje would still like them to turn a few things around when they tackle Pakistan in the first of their three World Cup Super Six games at Trent Bridge tomorrow.

"If you look at the times that we've bowled first, our opponents have had 60-odd runs on the board after 15 overs without any wickets down. It's difficult to pull it back from there."

The problem on most occasions, he said, is that his frontline bowlers had either bowled too full or as he put it "too friendly".

With the overhead conditions likely to play a major role in just how much the ball swings, Cronje wants to thrust the knife home as quickly and deeply as possible. "The way to beat Pakistan is to get them under pressure from the word go," he said.

One way of doing that would be to introduce "white lightning" Allan Donald straight into the attack, but one doubts if the South Africans will switch tactics mid-stream.

Jacques Kallis is swinging the ball sufficiently to trouble any batsman and while he hasn't as yet struck as much as one might have expected, Shaun Pollock's nagging accuracy has also taken its toll.

With Lance Klusener and Steve Elworthy as back-up there's no doubt that South Africa's seam quartet has been one of the most effective of the tournament. In Pakistan, however, they are up against a side not lacking in either firepower or guile.

Blessed with an impressive array of all-rounders, Pakistan's considerable armoury, spearheaded by the fastest bowler in the world Shoaib Akhtar, also includes captain Wasim Akram, Waqar Younis, Abdul Razzaq, Azhar Mahmood, Yousaf Youhana plus spinners Saqlain Mushtaq, Mushtaq Ahmed and Shahid Afridi.

No shortage of talent there with Akram's biggest problem perhaps not who plays but who does not.

Afridi, who hit the headlines in scoring a 37-ball century on debut against Sri Lanka in Nairobi three years ago, hasn't been able to recapture that explosive form and may have to sit this one out.

The same applies to leg-spinner Mushtaq who, despite all his wiles, has hardly featured in the '99 Cup.

It would be a gamble playing either and although Pakistan have been known to do stranger things they are more than likely to go the safer route of offspinner Saqlain for the time being.

With Younis also not at his best the fiery Akhtar appears destined to share the new ball with Akram.

For their part the South Africans are almost certain to adhere to the combination which emerged victorious in four out of their five round robin clashes.

"I'm very happy at the way the guys have been playing," said Cronje, who will nevertheless be looking for a more substantial start from openers Gary Kirsten and Herschelle Gibbs.

Having beaten Pakistan in 14 out of their 21 clashes, the South Africans are convinced that they can add to their tally but it's going to take a supreme effort.

This Pakistani outfit is a far cry from the disorganised bunch who toured the Republic last year.

Likely SA squad: Gary Kirsten, Herschelle Gibbs, Mark Boucher, Jacques Kallis, Daryll Cullinan, Hansie Cronje (capt.), Jonty Rhodes, Shaun Pollock, Steve Elworthy, Lance Klusener and Allan Donald. -- Sapa