``Our side is a young one. We are here to learn and gather experience. But we hope to play the final and win if things go well,'' he said addressing a press conference at Hotel Sonargaon in Dhaka on Friday.

South African team reached the capital on Thursday night.

Cronje informed that several regular members of his team could not come here either for injury or because they're resting. But he said: I'm happy with the replacements. The boys are very, very fine, enthusiastic and lot of them are highly skilled in one-day.

``Many of them are from the squad that clinched the Commonwealth Games Gold. They're confident of doing better, and I hope their confidence will come to this tournament,'' said the South African captain.

He informed that from among the Commonwealth Games winning team, Andrew Hudson, Paul Adams and Gibbs are not here for the Wills Cup that Cronje described as a ``very tough'' tournament.

Others who are not with the team are Alan Donald, Shaun Pollock, Lance Klusener and Garry Kirsten. ``Donald is having rest, Pollock recovering from back injury, Klusener was operated in leg knee and Kirsten's middle finger of left hand is broken,'' Cronje said.

When asked if South Africa will suffer due to the absence of Donald and Pollock, he said: We believe we will be able to face the challenge with Ntini, Dawson, Elworthy, Kallis and myself.''

As they clash with England in the second quarter-final on October 25 (Sunday), Cronje described the match with 50:50 chances as both sides have experienced and young players.

He categorically mentioned the names of Martin, Austin, Fleming, McMillan, Hick, Brown and Knight who are successfully playing for England.

When asked whether the Wills Cup is a pre-show for next 1999 World Cup, the South African skipper replied in the negative. He said: It's a do or die tough tournament. Any good team could be knocked out in the very first match. The champions may not also carry the same strength till next May-June.

About Bangladesh cricket, the veteran said there is a long to go for achieving a good standard. ``They (Bangladesh) have to play stronger countries, need experience in highest level and do hard work.'' The same things are also true for Zimbabwe and Kenya, Cronje said adding he knows very well about cricket of the three countries.

The South African squad:

Hansie Cronje (capt), Dale Benkenstein, Nicky Boje, Mark Boucher, Derek Crookes, Daryl Cullinan, Alan Dawson, Steve Elworthy, Jacques Kallis, Makhaya Ntini, Jonty Rhodes, Mike Rindel, Pat Symcox.