OWN CORRESPONDENT, Johannesburg | Thursday 8.00PM.
AFTER losing to South Africa by 177 runs in their one-day match on Wednesday, Essex have sought to beef up their team ahead of the three-day “re-match” starting at Chelmsford on Friday.
Seamer Mark Ilott and middle-order batting star Ronnie Irani have been called up to strengthen a line-up which offered only token resistance on Wednesday. However Essex will still be below par with some of their better youngsters away playing national under-19 games, and Test star Nassar Hussein on R&R by order of the England selectors.
That’s not good news for South Africa. The team needs a good work-out against a tough side as part of its preparation for the crucial fifth Test.
South Africa is juggling options — most of which include allrounder Brian McMillan and offspinner Pat Symcox — for its top-order batting line-up, which needs attention. McMillan, who has been struggling for runs, will be tested as opening bat on Friday.
McMillan also has a back-up option as a bowler, and may return as the fifth-member of an all-seam attack. This might mean that spinner Symcox loses his spot in favour of speed. He was South Africa’s most successful bowler with 5/40 — his second “five-for” on tour — on Wednesday.
However Symcox the veteran can bat, although he hasn’t had much opportunity lately. Seamer Makhaya Ntini will be being watched in this match. He was unable to find out whether his injured heel is in fact healed on Wednesday because he was able to get in just two overs — for 13 runs — before the Essex innings was shut down.
SA team: Gary Kirsten, Brian McMillan, Gerhardus Liebenberg, Daryll Cullinan, Jonty Rhodes, Shaun Pollock, Hansie Cronje (captain), Jacques Kallis, Pat Symcox, Steve Elworthy, Makhaya Ntini. 12th man: Mike Rindel.
The Essex team will be announced Friday morning.