South Africa’s bowlers lost an opportunity to perform under pressure when rain brought a premature end to Sunday’s limited over match against Northampton at Wantage Road.
The home team had made a solid start in pursuit of 230 for victory and was 45 for 1 after 15 overs when the rain came shortly after 4pm.
South Africa gave a first outing to Morne van Wyk, while Jacques Kallis and Nicky Boje were given the chance to shake off the cobwebs after flying in on Saturday.
Charl Langeveldt was a late withdrawal due to a bruised buttock and Andrew Hall took his place. After Smith called correctly for the third time on tour, the batsmen found the going tough on a pitch of variable bounce and pace. The captain (24),Gibbs (15) and Kallis (3) all fell by the 17th over before Mark Boucher and Shaun Pollock showed their experience in compiling a stand of 105 in 24 overs.
Neither was able to take full control of the innings. Boucher batted with impressive intensity and Pollock with characteristic calmness if not fluency.
”It was difficult, we had to work really hard, I never felt completely in,” said Pollock after being dismissed for 53. Boucher’s knock of 69 included just three boundaries, a testament as much to the difficult conditions as to the superb fielding of Northants.
Morne van Wyk’s first outing in the senior national team was competent enough as he finished 17 not out alongside fellow Free Stater Nicky Boje who was unbeaten on 13 when the innings ended on 229/6.
Van Wyk also had a hand in the only wicket to fall in the Northants chase when he accounted for Paul Jaques with a direct hit from cover in the first over.
Thereafter Australian Michael Hussey and Mark Powell batted with dogged resistance against Pollock, Ntini, Hall and Kallis, all of whom gained appreciable swing in the damp conditions, with only Ntini finding the edge of Powell’s bat, but Kallis put down the chance at second slip.
”We can forgive him that one, after all he hasn’t played for nearly four months and he only arrived yesterday. I’m sure he will hold many during the tour,” said Graeme Smith afterwards.
On the batting performance, Smith said he was satisfied: ”While I was batting I thought that 230 would be par, maybe we could have taken it to 240 odd, but conditions were not great for playing shots.” The captain was disappointed his bowlers did not have the chance to bowl for longer: ”For the first time on tour we were under a little pressure and it would have be good for the bowlers to have had a chance to work things out,” said Smith.
Coach Eric Simons echoed his captain: ”Nicky, Jacques and Dawsie still need time in the middle.” With two warm up games remaining before Saturdays NatWest Series opener against England at The Oval Simons realizes that selection is going to be tough.
”Everyone is in contention right now which is a good situation to be in. There is a healthy battle for places in the starting line up in both the batting and bowling departments,” Said Simons.
South Africa were back on the road right after Sunday’s match, making their way down the M1 towards London for the fourth game of the tour against the Sir Paul Getty XI at the late American millionaire’s private estate in Wormsley, Buckinghamshire.
Among the opposition will be former SA Under 19 all-rounder Kevin Pieterson, now playing for Nottinghamshire and in the third year of the four years of residency required to qualify to play for England –something many critics feel he will achieve.
Zimababvwean fast bowler Henry Olonga will also be in action in a side that includes two former New Zealand batsmen, an Australian and five Englishmen, all of whom have represented their country over the last five years.
South Africa have also been allowed the courtesy of lending one of their number to the Getty XI, that player is likely to be Martin van Jaarsveld.
Scores: South Africa 229/6 in 50 overs Boucher 69, Pollock 53, Smith 24. Cawrdron 2/36, Wright 2/40.
Northamptonshire 45/1 in 15 overs Hussey 27 not out,Powell 11 not out Pollock 6-1-19-0, Ntini 5-1-12-0.
Match abandoned due to rain. – Sapa