OWN CORRESPONDENT, Johannesburg | Monday 7.45PM.
WHEN South Africa face England at Edgbaston on Tuesday in an Emirates triangular series cricket match, they will have to beat the home side by 50 runs or more, or alternatively bowl them out in under 40 overs if they are to progress to the final of the series.
Coming off the Test series defeat against England and the loss against Sri Lanka on Friday the South Africans are probably not in high spirits, and the strain of long Test series may make a win on Tuesday all the more difficult.
In order to win the match South Africa are sure to to make changes to their batting line-up, and the inclusion of a pinch-hitter is quite probable. One option would be too push Pat Symcox in to open with Mike Rindel, while Gary Kirsten may slot in at number three or four if his back problem is cleared up.
Steve Elworthy may also be dropped in order to give speedster Mornantau Hayward a crack at the batting, but the youngster tends to be a tad wild and woolly, so the move seems unlikely. Elworthy is of a more sedate pace, but he his bat is somewhat more educated than that of Hayward and he should keep his place in the side.
Likely teams
South Africa:
Mike Rindel, Gary Kirsten, Jacques Kallis, Daryll Cullinan, Hansie Cronje(c), Jonty Rhodes, Shaun Pollock, Mark Boucher, Pat Symcox, Steve Elworthy, Allan Donald.
England:
Mike Atherton, Nick Knight, Ally Brown, Alec Stewart(c), Graeme Hick, Nassar Hussain, Adam Hollioake, Robert Croft, Darren Gough, Allan Mullally, Angus Fraser.