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Biggest match South Africa wary of England's batting
Posted: Friday May 21, 1999 09:58 PM
LONDON (Reuters) -- South Africa is wary of England's batting strength, captain Hansie Cronje said on the eve of the biggest match in the World Cup so far. "The only side that have shown the other teams how to bat this World Cup is England," a tense-looking Cronje said during practice at The Oval on Friday. England have won their first two matches by eight wickets against Sri Lanka and nine wickets against Kenya while the South African top order struggled against Sri Lanka on Wednesday. "We've played some good cricket so far which is very pleasing," England captain Alec Stewart said. "Now we're up against the tournament favourites we'll see how far our preparation has gone." South Africa coach Bob Woolmer said he was not surprised the hosts had played well so far. "England were always going to be a force in their own conditions," he said. Woolmer said the pitch, normally a fine batting wicket with good bounce, "looks fine on top but a little bit soft underneath." He felt white balls used for this tournament could move about a great deal in the first 20 overs of the innings, especially if the weather stayed damp and overcast, making winning of the toss vital. South Africa lost the test series here last year but they won the one-day tournament, which included a three-wicket victory almost exactly one year ago at The Oval. Lance Klusener, who tore apart the Sri Lanka attack after coming in at number nine on Wednesday, practiced his big hitting on Friday, thumping the ball with his heavy bat into the stands two or three times despite the Oval's long boundary. "We know more or less what the wicket is like. We saw there was some bounce," Cronje said. South Africa's bowling line-up of Shaun Pollock, Jacques Kallis and the formidable Allan Donald should enjoy exploiting the bounce, but England's Darren Gough and Allan Mullally have gained confidence from skittling out Sri Lanka and Kenya. Stewart, looking relaxed on his home Surrey ground, said his side was fully aware this was the biggest game of group A and whoever won would all but secure a place in the next round. "I just try to be realistic. They are a great team. They have strength in depth with both bat and ball, and they are the best fielding side in the world," he said. "But we are settled into the tournament and the team spirit is very good. "The support here is brilliant. Londoners support England very well and Saturday will be no different," he said. The England captain said the final line-up would not be announced until the toss, but Surrey teammate Adam Hollioake could return if selectors decide Robert Croft's spin should make way for more seam bowling. Woolmer said all his players were fit. South Africa will also decide late whether to use their spin option of Nicky Boje, who played against India but ceded his place to Steve Elworthy against Sri Lanka. Probable teams: England - 1-Alec Stewart (captain), 11-Nasser Hussain, 9-Graeme Hick, 14-Graham Thorpe, 5-Neil Fairbrother, 10-Adam Hollioake, 4-Mark Ealham, 6-Andrew Flintoff, 2-Ian Austin, 8-Darren Gough, 13-Allan Mullally. South Africa - 1-Gary Kirsten, 2-Herschelle Gibbs, 9-Mark Boucher, 3-Jacques Kallis, 4-Darryl Cullinan, 5-Hansie Cronje (captain), 8-Jonty Rhodes, 7-Shaun Pollock, 13-Lance Klusener, 14-Steve Elworthy, 10-Allan Donald.
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