OWN CORRESPONDENT, Edgbaston | Tuesday 12.25pm
THURSDAY’S clash between South Africa and New Zealand will produce an interesting player head-to-head. Among them are:
Geoff Allott vs Gary Kirsten
Left-arm seamer Allott, once dropped because he was regarded as overweight and unfit, is the surprise top wicket-taker in the World Cup with a record-equalling 18 victims. His best, four for 37, helped New Zealand defeat Australia and get them through to the second round.
Left-hand Kirsten, on the other hand, is struggling desperately. In the last World Cup in 1996, Kirsten piled up a record individual score of 188. He has not been able to aggregate that in six games here. Kirsten’s failure against the moving ball has left the South African top order vulnerable.
Chris Cairns vs Lance Klusener
An intriguing battle between the two best all-rounders in each team. Klusener has made 210 runs in the World Cup without being dismissed. He also has 14 wickets, the second highest behind Allott. A hugely powerful man, he has shored up the brittle top order to such an extent that he has managed to claim four out of six man-of-the-match awards.
Cairns has not met with similar success, but as he showed against Scotland when New Zealand needed quick runs, he can use the long handle effectively. Cairns may not be among the wickets but his tight line, at the expense of outright pace, make him an important part of the attack.
Roger Twose vs Allan Donald
Roger Twose and Allan Donald are both on home soil here. They both played in the same Warwickshire side a few years ago before Twose emigrated to New Zealand to pursue his cricketing ambitions. But their ‘old boy’ camaraderie will not be on their minds on Thursday. Left-hander Twose is in great touch, with 177 runs in six matches and a best of 80 against Australia. Donald’s pace has fetched him 12 wickets, including four for 17 against England. — AFP