SA in cracking one-day form

16 October 1996


BOMBAY- South African cricket skipper Hansie Cronje admitted here Monday his one-day wonders could face a rude awakening during their test series against India.

Cronje, who flew in with his squad for a limited-over tournament with India and Australia before a three-match test series said his side was ``in cracking one-day form.''

But he admitted: ``The tests against India's spinners, particularly on a turning track, will be an entirely different ball game.''

Cronje was speaking just after India defeated Australia by seven wickets within four days in New Delhi, a result that prompted losing captain Mark Taylor to blast the uneven Kotla wicket.

South Africa came off an impressive victory in the Four Nations Cup in Nairobi last week, where they defeated Pakistan and Kenya but lost to world champions Sri Lanka.

Cronje added: ``Gary Kirsten is our best player of spin but for a good total, Dave Cullinan, Jonty Rhodes and myself will have to improve our record against the spinners.''

The South African captain confirmed the side could be overhauled for the test series, with the injured Jacques Kallis (stress fracture) and wrist spinner Paul Adams (groin injury) candidates for a recall.

Cronje, whose side must also do without injured pace bowler Craig Matthews and budding all-rounder Shaun Pollock, added: ``We have to put a brave face on the injuries but it will be difficult. We're hoping Kallis and Adams will be back by November 20 for the tests.''

South Africa launch the one-day triangular tournament on Thursday, when they take on India in a day-night match in Hyderabad.


Source: The Daily News

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Date-stamped : 25 Feb1998 - 14:44