South African top order batsman Gary Kirsten came to the defence of his captain Shaun Pollock on Tuesday as his side’s World Cup cricket campaign threatened to unravel completely.
On Monday, Kirsten’s sometime opening partner Herschelle Gibbs joined the chorus in singing disgraced skipper Hansie Cronje’s praises.
Gibbs stated that he missed Cronje’s leadership qualities and passion and that while Pollock had done a good job, the incumbent still had ”a lot to learn”.
Before the tournament, Jonty Rhodes and Allan Donald caused a stir by claiming they were dedicating the World Cup to Cronje. In the aftermath of the statement, a leading sports physiologist suggested that the dedication had the potential to split the side.
Ken Jennings added that the pair might even have been expressing their concern about the current leadership of the side.
On Tuesday, however, with South Africa’s World Cup campaign hanging by a thread, Kirsten backed his captain unequivocally.
”Personally I feel Shaun has done a very good job,” said Kirsten, who served as Cronje’s deputy.
”He came into the job in very trying circumstances and when he was in charge we played our best cricket, matching Australia both here and there.
”I certainly don’t think Shaun is to be blamed for where we are. Instead of blaming Shaun individuals should look at themselves as to why things have gone wrong.” Kirsten was unable to explain why certain players still hankered after Cronje and made public statements regarding their feelings. He suggested that those making the statements should be questioned.
Kirsten also came to the defence of Allan Donald, who has been fingered more than any other bowler for South Africa’s woeful bowling display.
”It’s a difficult situation for Allan who has been one of South Africa’s best bowlers. I still trust him though to do the job and I back him all the way.
”If we had a major game tomorrow, I’d back him to do the business for us.”
Having swept all opposition before them in the first half of the summer, Kirsten admits that it is frustrating to now be struggling to stay alive in the World Cup.
”You’d expect to beat these sides nine times out of ten,” added Kirsten. ”But you have to perform on the day and we just haven’t been able to do that.
”As both an individual and as a team, we have to look in the mirror. As a team, the mirror would probably show that in this tournament we have not been clinical enough. We haven’t been able to finish the game off.”
Meanwhile, deposed Australian one-day skipper Steve Waugh said on Tuesday he was not writing off South Africa in cricket’s World Cup saying the Proteas were still Australia’s main danger.
Test captain Waugh said the South Africans were a chance to repeat Australia’s 1999 barnstorming finish to win the World Cup.
After losses to West Indies and New Zealand, South Africa must win every game and hope West Indies beat Sri Lanka just to survive the pool matches.
Australia, just as with South Africa this time, lost two of its first three games in 1999 but still won the World Cup in England. ”I think they are still a good chance of doing well,” Waugh said here on Tuesday.
”I see their start as very similar to ours in 1999, and if they can turn it around and gradually peak towards the end of the tournament then there is no reason why they can’t do well.
”To write them off now would be pretty foolish because I still think they are Australia’s main danger.” – Sapa, AFP