It’s been a long season for South Africa’s cricketers and in their final match they have a tough task against New Zealand
CRICKET: Krish Mi’rams
SOUTH AFRICA’s final international appointment of the 1994/95 season will be, perhaps, their most difficult assignment.
On the face of it New Zealand would not seem to pose too many threats after a season in which they have lost series to both South Africa and the West Indies and have recorded just two limited over wins. However, they are always a very awkward side to beat on their home pitches, particularly at Eden Park, the venue for the Centenary Test.
Ken Rutherford is under immense pressure to produce a win which would resurrect a disappointing season as captain. Martin Crowe is desperate to complete the full cycle of hundreds against all the Test playing nations and this will undoubtedly be his last opportunity. He may need a wheelchair and crutches, but he will be the man around whom a New Zealand victory will be built.
The Kiwis also have fast bowlers Danny Morrison and Dion Nash in tandem for the first time this season, arguably their best new ball pair since the era of Sir Richard Hadlee.
So all the ingredients are there for the home team to turn a poor season around with a win. However, they will first have to deal with a South African team that is now playing some very fine cricket.
South Africa’s failure to reach the final of the limited overs series was, perhaps, a blessing in disguise. They have had five days in the beautiful seaside resort of Nelson on the west coast of the South Island. Before taking on the New Zealand Academy XI at Trafalgar Park some of the squad took to the waters of the Buller River for some white water rafting, a pastime not for the faint of heart.
Among the “swimmers” (those unfortunate enough to lose contact with the rubberised raft) was Jonty Rhodes. But that failed to dampen his effervescent spirit.
The match itself saw the fast bowlers of both sides dominating a low scoring game. Of concern to coach Bob Woolmer was the inability of the top order batsmen, Andrew Hudson, Rudi Steyn, Hansie Cronje and Rhodes in particular to play through the difficult early overs of an innings without attempting to hit the cover off the ball. Here was a chance to get some much needed time at the crease against an enthusiastic and in the case of Kerry Walsmsley, a two metre 21-year-old fast bowler from Auckland, fast and hostile attack.
The pitch did assist the seamers as Allan Donald, Steven Jack and Craig Matthews found, but this was still not an excuse for some of the poor shot selection by the top order.
Inadequate net facilities prevented the batsmen from getting further practise and once the game ended inside the first session of the third day the squad had a net on the match pitch, which had settled down very nicely into perhaps one of the best seen on tour so far.
Andrew Hudson made use of the last morning, playing with customary flair to score 52. Daryll Cullinan can also feel fairly pleased after making a well timed first innings 51. The most encouraging sight in the match, apart, that is, from Pat Symcox very nearly outsprinting Rudi Steyn to the boundary, was Allan Donald’s brilliant first innings bowling.
All the familiar rhythm was there, he was not straining to reach the crease and he bowled, by his own admission, as fast as he ever has. It was frightening stuff at times and the young Academy batsmen will know a lot more about the demands of the game at the highest level after facing Donald.
Steve Jack also bowled well. Not at the same pace as Donald but his mixture of well directed aggression and good length bowling bought him seven wickets in the match. On his first tour he has shown great enthusiasm despite limited opportunities and is maturing well.
Let’s hope that Donald can produce the same form at Eden Park. The pitch will not offer him as much assistance, but the atmosphere in the ground and the intensity of the contest should more than make up for
So one final hurdle for Hansie Cronje and his men. It’s been a long season, almost 18 months if one goes back to the tour of Sri Lanka in August 1993. That was followed by the Hero Cup in India, then the two month tour of Australia after which the Aussies visited South Africa. A break of five weeks and a demanding tour of the UK, then Pakistan before a very busy home season.
All the players are looking forward to a long break, that is apart from Cronje, Donald and Cullinan who will be plying their various trades on the county circuit for six months. Donald perhaps for the last time at Warwickshire, who have decided to offer Brian Lara, their messiah of 1994, a three year contract as their sole overseas player from 1996.
Donald has been offered work as a coach during those seasons. Scant reward really for eight years of loyal service. He is now totally motivated to take 100 wickets in the upcoming season. I wouldn’t put it past him either.