South Africa and Pakistan both have concerns over their fast-bowlers ahead of the first Test of a three-match series starting at Centurion Park on Thursday.
Pakistan, already with five fast-bowlers in their squad, added a sixth in the controversial Shoaib Akhtar as cover for Umar Gul, who suffered from an ankle injury during the team’s warm-up match against the Rest of South Africa at the weekend.
Shoaib, cleared by a Pakistan tribunal after being found guilty of using illegal substances — together with teammate Mohammad Asif — was due to leave Pakistan on Tuesday and it will be a surprise if he plays in the first Test barely 24 hours after his arrival. Gul, meanwhile, may still be considered.
While Pakistan contemplate their options, Shahid Nazir advanced a strong claim for inclusion by taking five wickets against the Rest of South Africa on a batsman-friendly pitch in Kimberley.
South Africa are expected to be without Dale Steyn, their fastest bowler, who is likely to be rested after playing a significant role in the host nation’s come-from-behind win over India in Cape Town last Saturday.
Steyn missed the second Test against India because of a thigh strain and coach Mickey Arthur said he would probably miss the Centurion match to give him time to make a full recovery.
Andre Nel is likely to be back in action after recovering from a heel injury.
Former South African fast-bowling great Allan Donald said he was concerned that South Africa’s fast-bowlers were suffering from a work overload in the run-up to the World Cup.
After three back-to-back Tests against India, South Africa play another three in as many weeks against Pakistan.
”The World Cup should have been our focus,” Donald told the Star newspaper.
”Ideally a month of preparation should have started now.
Instead we are going to put in a lot of miles in the next three Tests and unless we give guys some rest we could be in trouble.”
Donald complained that South Africa and Pakistan were the only teams playing Test cricket so close to the World Cup in March and April. He said that key bowlers like Makhaya Ntini and Shaun Pollock should sit out at least one Test each during the series, although he said the strongest possible attack should be picked for the first Test.
Pakistan will be without star batsman Mohammad Yousuf, who is in Pakistan with his ill wife, who is expecting a baby soon, and all-rounder Shoaib Malik, who is injured.
Pakistan are ranked third in the International Cricket Council Test ratings, three places ahead of South Africa. They shared a three-match series in 1997/98 but on two other tours of South Africa have lost three times in as many Tests.
Centuries by opening batsmen Imran Farhat and Mohammad Hafeez in Kimberley gave the tourists a boost because finding a stable opening pair has been a problem for Pakistan in recent years.
They may find conditions at Centurion different from those in Kimberley, however, with Centurion normally providing assistance to fast-bowlers. – Sapa-AFP
Squads:
South Africa: Graeme Smith (captain), Jacques Kallis (vice-captain), Paul Adams, Hashim Amla, Mark Boucher, AB de Villiers, Herschelle Gibbs, Andrew Hall, Paul Harris, Mornè Morkel, André Nel, Makhaya Ntini, Shaun Pollock, Ashwell Prince, Jacques Rudolph, Dale Steyn.
Pakistan: Inzamam-ul-Haq (captain), Mohammad Hafeez, Imran Farhat, Yasir Hameed, Younis Khan, Asim Kamal, Faisal Iqbal, Kamran Akmal, Zulqernain Haider, Shahid Nazir, Umar Gul, Mohammad Asif, Mohammad Sami, Danish Kaneria, Rana Naved-ul-Hasan, Shoaib Akhtar.
Umpires: Steve Bucknor and Billy Doctrove. TV umpire: Karl Hurter. Match referee: Chris Broad. — Sapa