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Hussain's hopes England captain tries to bolster tired team
Posted: Friday December 31, 1999 11:44 AM
CAPE TOWN, New Zealand (Reuters) -- Nasser Hussain will ask his tired England team to "dig deep" in the fourth test against South Africa, which starts at Newlands on Sunday. England endured a grueling final three days in the field in the drawn third test, which ended at Kingsmead on Thursday, and just three days later it will again attempt to square a five-match series that South Africa currently leads 1-0. The extent of the English squad's weariness was evident when it cancelled its planned practice session at Newlands on Friday morning. "Inner strength must come through and people must dig deep, that's what we're here for," Hussain said. "It's amazing what you can find within yourself when there's something like a Millennium Test in Cape Town up for grabs. "The spirit in our dressing room after the Kingsmead test was not of a side that was down, it was of a side looking forward to the next game." Hussain was confident his men would be up to the task of fielding first at Newlands, which will be likely if South Africa win the toss on what has proved a dependable batting pitch in recent seasons. "If we end up in the field for two days I'd expect the team to be just like they have been in the last two days in the field, that is not to throw the towel in and to try and bowl the opposition out. "People won't be left out because they might have tired legs. Our best bowlers for the particular wicket we see in Cape Town will be picked. "We're quite pleased with the way we are at the moment. We've done some hard work and we'll carry on doing it." South Africa staved off defeat at Kingsmead despite being asked to follow on for the first time in 73 tests, and going into the final day just 41 runs ahead with four wickets down. Much of the credit for the successful rescue effort went to opener Gary Kirsten, whose 275 equaled the highest test innings by a South African. South African captain Hansie Cronje said his team had been steeled by the experience. "It was important for us to get through that situation," Cronje said. "We were under pressure because we hadn't been there before, so our confidence is certainly boosted." Kirsten expected another sound batting pitch at Newlands, his home ground. "The wicket hasn't bounced as much as it did last season, so unless they leave grass on it I think it'll be a good pitch," Kirsten said. "It's played very well this season with even bounce, a very good batting wicket." South Africa has named an unchanged 12 for the fourth test, with controversially axed batsman Jonty Rhodes expected to return at the expense of paceman Mornantau Hayward. England was not due to announce its squad Friday, but left-arm fast bowler Alan Mullally and batsman Michael Vaughan were said to have recovered from injuries. Mullally's selection could add variety to an England attack which, in Hussain's own words, "lacks penetration" on flatter surfaces.
South African SquadGary Kirsten, Herschelle Gibbs, Jacques Kallis, Daryll Cullinan, Hansie Cronje (captain), Jonty Rhodes, Lance Klusener, Shaun Pollock, Mark Boucher, Allan Donald, Mornantau Hayward, Paul Adams.England SquadTo be announced.
Copyright 2003 Reuters Limited. All rights reserved.
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