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Strength vs. weakness England has to face South Africa's pace barrage again
Posted: Saturday December 25, 1999 02:08 PM
DURBAN, South Africa (AP) -- England's shaky batting lineup will confront South Africa's strong opening bowling in the third test at Kingsmead Stadium Sunday. South Africa leads the five-test series 1-0. For all the consolation England has taken from the drawn second test in Port Elizabeth two weeks ago where captain Nasser Hussain made steady gains, the penetration of Allan Donald and Shaun Pollock with the new ball for South Africa will be a challenge. And with the return of Jacques Kallis, a third prong to a pace attack has been added. That allows South Africa to let the stock-bowling duties fall to Lance Klusener and captain Hansie Cronje. Add the spin of Paul Adams, who has improved immeasurably since the visit of Australian spin guru Terry Jenner, and bowling becomes South Africa's trump card. For England, the continuing poor form of Mark Butcher is a matter of serious concern, especially when it comes to blunting the Donald-Pollock juggernaut, which seems to take especial delight in ripping the heart out of England's batting. Hussain's form is heartening. He will have to be supported by the other batsmen of obvious class in the England team in Michael Atherton, Michael Vaughan and Alec Stewart if the tourists are to post a total that can challenge South Africa. In addition, Mark Ramprakash flew to South Africa to cover for Vaughan, who injured a finger in the rained-out match against a combined Border-Eastern Province team at the weekend but seems likely to be included in the squad if Vaughan cannot play. By contrast, South Africa seems to have an embarrassment of riches in the batting department to complement its pace bowling. Although Gary Kirsten and Herschelle Gibbs have yet to fire at the top of the order, Kallis and Darryll Cullinan provide good backup, and in the lower middle order, Klusener has been devastating with 246 runs in two innings against the tourists so far. The pitch is almost certain to exacerbate the problems for England. Durban has been battered by a week of rains, causing the South African government to declare the Indian Ocean port and a nearby town disaster areas. That dampness, and Durban's normal humidity, will inevitably be beneficial to swing and seam bowling, and the pace of Donald and Pollock. Both captains played down the effect the rain would have on the test. "We're from England, so we're used to this," said Hussain. "We just have to take what opportunities we have, and the South Africans are in the same boat. "If I had to start worrying about the weather, playing test cricket would become too complicated," said Cronje. "Besides, we have no control over it." For all that bravado, the square at Kingsmead, the outfield and the nets have all been put out of bounds by the ground staff in an attempt to get them dry. However, more rain is forecast for the area during the runup to the match. Teams South Africa (from): Gary Kirsten, Herschelle Gibbs, Jacques Kallis, Darryll Cullinan, Hansie Cronje (captain), Jonty Rhodes, Lance Klusener, Shaun Pollock, Mark Boucher, Allan Donald, Mornantau Hayward, Paul Adams. England (from): Michael Atherton, Mark Butcher, Nasser Hussain (captain), Michael Vaughan, Alec Stewart, Chris Adams, Andrew Flintoff, Andrew Caddick, Darren Gough, Chris Silverwood, Phil Tufnell, Alan Mullally, Darren Maddy. Umpires: Doug Cowie (New Zealand), David Orchard (South Africa) Match referee: Barry Jarman (Australia)
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