South Africa’s emphatic 4-0 victory over New Zealand in the recent Standard Bank series was mission accomplished for new coach Mickey Arthur, but the national cricket team barely have time to breathe before moving on to the next challenge — a five-match limited-overs series in India.
”South Africa have never won a series in India, but we’re getting better all the time, and our confidence is high, although we know India is a different prospect,” said South African captain Graeme Smith.
The selectors have called up three players to join the squad for the tour to India — spin-bowler Johan Botha and all-rounders Justin Ontong and Robin Petersen.
Batting star Herschelle Gibbs and and specialist spinner Nicky Boje decided not to make themselves available for the tour because they had been unable to secure a guarantee that they would not be detained for questioning in connection with the Hansie Cronje match-fixing saga.
Jacques Rudolph was not included in the touring party, as the selectors believed he would benefit more from playing Supersport Series cricket for his province.
Arthur said that while losing Boje and Gibbs for the tour was a blow, it also gave other players an opportunity to make their presence known.
”It increases our pool for World Cup 2007. I think conditions in the West Indies, where the World Cup will be played, will be similar to those in the sub-continent. We need to have a pool of players ready to play at any time,” he said.
The convener of selectors said he thinks the 15-man squad that has been selected to tour India offers several different combinations. He dismissed suggestions that the squad is light on specialist batsmen.
”People like Albie [Morkel] and Andrew Hall offer us different options, and I am happy that we can have a long batting line.”
Smith said it is better to rely on a few specialist batsmen and some good all-rounders than to take a young player to India for his first international experience.
”I think after losing Herschelle, to blood a young guy in the middle order would be very tough,” he explained. ”We thought that this was the best way we could go to India and win, rather than taking a young guy and letting him face some of those bowlers, and putting him under tremendous pressure.”
Lorgat said Ontong will be going to India as a batting all-rounder rather than as a spin-bowler.
”Justin primarily will be there to cover some of the top-order batting,” he said.
”We are pretty sure that India are going to hit us with three spin-bowlers in their team,” said Arthur. ”We’re pretty sure that [Anil] Kumble will get a recall, and then there will also be Habharjan [Singh] and [Murali] Kartik.
”So, it’s an ideal time for us to make a brave move and go there with two spinners. It’s a great opportunity for them to make a name for themselves.
”I believe we have selected a team that can go to India and win.” — Sapa
Squad
Graeme Smith (captain, Cape Cobras), Jacques Kallis (vice-captain, Cape Cobras), Johan Botha (Warriors), Mark Boucher (Warriors), AB de Villiers (Titans), Andrew Hall (Lions), Justin Kemp (Titans), Charl Langeveldt (Lions), Albie Morkel, (Titans), Andre Nel (Titans), Makhaya Ntini (Warriors), Justin Ontong (Lions), Robin Petersen (Warriors), Shaun Pollock (Dolphins), Ashwell Prince (Cape Cobras).