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West Indies v Kwazulu-Natal XI Preview

By Ken Borland
15 December 1998




The West Indian tourists begin a crucial fortnight in KwaZulu-Natal today when they take on a Natal XI in a limited-overs game at the Chatsworth Oval. With the decisive third Test starting at Kingsmead in 10 days time, Brian Lara's team are desperate to lift themselves up from defeats in the first two Tests against South Africa, and they have an excellent chance of recording their first victory on their troubled tour as the home side includes several youngsters chosen more for their very bright futures than current ability.

The Chatsworth Oval has been chosen as the venue as it falls within a formerly disadvantaged area, and much interest will focus on how the Natal players of colour perform.

Foremost amongst these will be seamer Desigan Reddy, who is from Chatsworth. The Natal B and 1995/96 Natal Schools cap said he was feeling the weight of local expectation ahead of the biggest game of his life. ``I am under a lot of pressure to perform, but for me the main thing is to go out there and enjoy myself because it's a wonderful opportunity.''

The spotlight will also fall on Pietermaritzburg's Mehmood Badat, who burst on to the scene in 1992 and looked to be the man to inspire Natal's young cricketers of colour, but instead nearly disappeared from the scene as he never quite fulfilled his promise. But the Zingari batsman looks to have regained his best form and he will be out to push for higher honours. He showed his ability in a similar Natal team last season when a played a cameo innings against West Indies A and he will want to lift himself again today having not really set the world alight in the Natal B team in recent years.

Natal's leading black cricketer, Bongani Zibane, gets his chance today as well, after several stints as 12th man for Natal teams, while Ashraf Mall, who has cemented his position in the Natal B side with a series of excellent contributions, has a wonderful chance to impress against top-class bowling.

The regulars appearing for Natal today are captain Jonty Rhodes, Andrew Hudson, Lance Klusener, Keith Forde, Gary Gilder and Robbie MacQueen, while Maritzburg's Craig Tatton, discarded by the senior side's brains trust, has a chance to re-establish himself in the provincial team.

Although most of the West Indian batsmen are in poor form, today's game provides them with a perfect opportunity to get rid of their blues. It will be interesting to see whether the tourists' management opt for a limited-overs batting order, with a pinch-hitter up front, or the line-up used for the first-class game.

Squads

Natal XI: Lance Klusener, Keith Forde, Ashraf Mall, Andrew Hudson, Jonty Rhodes, Mehmood Badat, Bongani Zibane, Robbie MacQueen, Gary Gilder, Desigan Reddy, Craig Tatton, Pranesh Naidoo.

West Indies: Clayton Lambert, Stuart Williams, Brian Lara, Carl Hooper, Floyd Reifer, Darren Ganga, Junior Murray, Nixon McLean, Franklyn Rose, Mervyn Dillon, Rawl Lewis, Shivnarine Chanderpaul, Ridley Jacobs, Courtney Walsh, Curtly Ambrose, Philo Wallace.

Play starts at 9.30 am, with live coverage on CSN.



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