Fanie in for Symmo

As the selectors see it Vinnige Fanie is likely to play at Kingsmead in the second test against Pakistan next week and Symmo can put his feet up in what could be their last series together before the hour glass agree that it's ``quittin'' time''.

Peter Pollock went to great lengths when announcing the squad for the second and third matches of the series to explain why De Villiers was an ideal bowler for Kingsmead. You see, the ball swings, and while it's nice for a No.10 to score a maiden test century . . . well it wasn't really his job.

Which is why they have strengthened the batting and likely to leave out the man who showed the South African top-order at the Wanderers what batting technique is all about. Tough luck that he is likely to be dropped and all that.

It has happened before where a century-maker has been dropped for the next test. New Zealand's Rodney Redmond scored one in his first test and never selected again. But as Pollock (snr) made the point, it is the job of the side to produce results.

De Villiers was a missing key component in the South African attack at the Wanderers; when they needed swing instead of pace and more pace they faultered.

Little wonder Pollock was keen to play the Vinninge Fanie tune again. And little wonder he was glowing in his praise.

``Fanie is a fighter. We have seen that. He was selected for a job in Pakistan and he did that well, now we need that fourth seamer.'' admitted Pollock.

``Allan (Donald) did not bowl as well as he can (at the Wanderers) and there was something missing from the attack. It was a little disappointing.''

Not at all words of comfort for Symcox whose bowling contribution was five overs.

On the brighter side HD Ackerman, who will play in Durban, left no doubt that his test cap belongs to his father Hylton, cruelly cut down in his prime by isolation and the 1971-72 aborted tour of Australia. Hylton (snr), Boland's coach as well as batting coach at the national academy, was visibly moved by the selection of his serious 25-year-old son.

What still has to be sorted out are the playing conditions regarding the use of floodlights at a test venue. ICC match referee John Reid is to see both captains and umpires before the game starts at Kingsmead.

No doubt the instructions will also go back to the players who have been docked quiet heavily for slow over rates.

Pakistan were fined 65% (percent) and South Africa 20% (percent) of their match match fee for the rate that was well below the accepted norm of 15 overs an hour on the three and a bit days play was possible.

Trevor Chesterfield, Cricket writer, Pretoria News tche@ptn.independent.co.za

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