Surprising words - echoed by all black South Africans.

At practice or even in the streets of Port Elizabeth, West Indies cricketers come in contact with many dissatisfied South African supporters who see no other result but victory for the West Indies in this series against their country.

The South African sporting fraternity seems to be going through an uneasy period as there is great importance being placed on colour and race in sport.

Many important voices air views on the state of South African sport with regards to the representation of various ethnic groups.

Some are calling for legislation which would ensure greater participation for the once-disadvantaged sections of South Africa.

They are fed up with the once comforting words: development programmes. After all, these programmes started in 1986 and there have been only a few non-Whites who have got to national level in sport.

I think the problem seems to lie in the structure of their first-class teams. There are six or seven of them, but the players are still 90 per cent white.

Just one or two of the previously disadvantaged players get in and they do not seem to be able to hold their places.

When they begin to fail, they are not given enough attention. They are just dropped.

Herschelle Gibbs must be wondering about his selection. He has not played much this season as rain has curtailed most of his matches.

He is not an opening batsman, but as the position became open, he was given an opportunity in an unusual spot. I think this is a huge responsibility against the West Indies.

I heard the most disappointing statement on a television show when a caller said that if they picked the best white team, it would easily beat the best black team.

That has nothing to do with the issues. In any case, it must be so obvious that the best black team has not been sufficiently exposed.

Ali Bacher (chief of the United Cricket Board of South Africa) thinks it would be a sad day for South Africa if politics once again took too much of a hand in sport.

Hansie Cronje wants to captain the best team always, but he is in support of a team that truly represents the diversity in South African society.

I can only hope that this slight upheaval plays a few mental tricks on the minds of the 11 South Africans we are up against today.

But enough of South African cricket; we have our own problems.

We have selected a 13-man squad and it includes the five fast men and the lone spinner. The selectors have kept faith with the six batsmen and the wicketkeeper from the first Test.

Ambrose and Rose will have fitness tests today. Rose's heel has improved and Ambrose has a sore elbow.

He admits that he is short of work and it is unfortunate that he did not bowl a great deal in the nets during our practice session yesterday.

It looks as though we will go with four quicks as the wicket looks grassy, yet it does not seem firm enough to encourage bounce and carry through at great pace.

Sir Garry Sobers was at practice and he gave a few tips to some of the guys, including myself. I hope to put some of it into practice during this match.

The guys are in good heart. They realise that we are better man for man, but the South Africans are playing better as a team.

If we put our individual performances together we can come out on top.

A larger crowd is expected than at the last match, and with a sort of West Indian atmosphere with steelband music, hopefully that will make the guys feel at home.

I am definitely confident of levelling the series.

``We need you to score runs, Lara,'' one South African supporter said.

Those are the words that will be on my mind. Let's hope I make his dream come true.