PHIL BLENKINSOP, Amstelveen | Monday 2.15pm.
FRESH from their destruction of England, South Africa undertake a one-game continental tour to face winless Kenya on Wednesday with only one result possible.
A defeat for the tournament favourites would be a shock measuring nine on the cricket Richter scale but the expected victory for South Africa would give them eight points and ensure their progress to the Super Six round of the competition.
Key members of the South African bowling line-up that ripped through England’s top order on Saturday on the way to a 122-run win are likely to be spectators at Amstelveen Cricket Club on the edge of Amsterdam.
The South Africans have said they intend to use their full 15-man squad during the tournament so paceman Allan Donald, and all-rounders Shaun Pollock and Jacques Kallis are likely to be rested. Spinners Nicky Boje and Derek Crookes, all-rounder Alan Dawson and Natal batsman Dale Benkenstein could get a game.
South Africa also hope the game will help their middle order, which wilted at the Oval against England, get into the habit of scoring runs.
Kenya have been far from disgraced in their three defeats but their attack, after an Sachin Tendulkar-inspired India destroyed them at Bristol, will be looking for some relief.
Kenyan captain Asif Karim is desperate to shore up his bowling. But his hands have been tied by problems surrounding seamer Jimmy Kamande, who has not been selected since it was reported he had been accused of chucking in the opening match against Zimbabwe.
Batsman Steve Tikolo followed up his half century against England with another on Sunday, while opener Kennedy Otieno also scored a 50.
Karim may call up pace bowler Tony Suji, younger brother of strike bowler Maurice Suji who pinned down India’s openers on Sunday, taking one for 26 from 10 overs.
For Kenya the location is new, but many in the South African side will fondly remember last year’s 83-run victory over the Dutch, particularly opener Gary Kirsten who scored an unbeaten century in that game. — Reuters