Date-stamped : 23 Dec96 - 06:13 20 December 1996 Bacher gets the Nod Adam Bacher is the only new cap in the South African squad for the opening two test matches against India at Kingsmead and New- lands over Christmas and New Year. While Bacher, the 23-year- old-in-form Transvaal opening batsman was celebrating at home in Johannesburg with members of his family, Jonty Rhodes who was axed for the first time since the country`s first test against the West Indies in Barbados was in no mood to take of his shock omission from the side. Through his Natal coach, Rhodes said. "I feel a little down at the moment. I need to gather my thoughts before saying anything." Bacher on the other hand was ecstatic over his selection. He said:"I was very nervous when Krish Mackerdhuj began announcing the names of the players. After he had announced Gary Kirsten and Andrew Hudson I felt my chances of being called up had once again evaporated. But then he called out my name and I became very ex- cited. I`m thrilled. I`m very thankful to everyone who has helped me to reach this goal." Bacher`s form in the one-day and four-day competitions has been amazing. He scored 507 runs in five innings in the Super-Sport series with a ton and a double century against Griquas recently and last weekend he scored heavily against Eastern Province at the Wanderers. He scored a second innings 114 in that match as well Source :: Pretoria News Contributed by Tony.Hassett( hasett@scientia.up.ac.za)