South Africa: Northerns look at batting options

In keeping with the latest buzz phrase ``batting options'' Northerns are studying theirs closely as the count down to the all important day/night bash against neighbors and log-lead rivals Gauteng at the Wanderers on Friday.

With a game in hand over Gauteng on the Standard Bank League log, Northerns Titans know that a victory out of this outing should all but see them take the plastic and aluminium crown.

Yet, as Northerns captain, Mark Davis, quickly pointed out yesterday, filling the roles played by Mike Rindel and Steve Elworthy, has left the selection panel of coach Peter Kirsten, Davis and Chris van Noordwyk taking a long hard look at other possibilities, or if you prefer, ``batting options''.

Dennis Smith has been brought back to beef up the batting at the top while the other variations need to be considered: Gerald Dros and Roy Pienaar or Deon Jordaan and Pienaar with Smith (D) and Pienaar as a third choice. With Rudolf Steyn finally being ruled out, the decision to add Smith (D) to the squad and drop Grant Morgan was, as Davis says, not a simple choice ``We want to look at all possibilities,'' he said yesterday after a two and half hour net session in the shimmering heat at SuperSport Centurion. ``So far we have left our options open and will most likely only make a final decision shortly before the game.''

Which is fair enough as giving away too many secrets to the enemy at this stage is as dangerous as Gauteng wondering how come Rudi Bryson did not make the Titans squad when he was part of the original 13 all along. What Northerns have to also consider is the Gauteng tactics: one which entails when they plan to bowl David Terbrugge and what their top-order batting options are likely to be considered.

In recent past Derek Crookes, Richard Snell and Ross Veenstra have been used in a pinch-hit role. Crookes was used effectively at three on the South African A team tour of Sri Lanka but has not carried over that form. And with Adam Bacher and Andre Seymore included in their side, the choice of a pinch-hitter role at the top of the order creates a few options.

Not that such variances always work. Much depends on the demands and as Smith (D) has done the job before as one of Keith Medlycott ploys, either opening or batting at five are two distinct possibilities if they are carefully examined. With Martin van Jaarsveld a permanent fixture at three Davis admitted it was a Wyhisyg (what you have is what you get) situation.

Northerns bowling attack with Bryson a certainty along with Quentin Ferreira allows for Davis to consider the left-arm fast qualities of Greg Smith with either Pierre Joubert or Pierre de Bruyn as another choice along with David Townsend.

As Davis is likely with Dirkie de Vos to fill in the spin bowling department two of the all-rounder berths have been filled. As it is De Vos, as one of the six batsmen in the side, has a dual role to play and has to take over the place vacated by Dan van Zyl.

Squad: Roy Pienaar, Dennis Smith, Martin van Jaarsveld, Gerald Dros, Deon Jordaan, Dirkie de Vos, Mark Davis, Pierre Joubert, Pierre de Bruyn, Rudi Bryson, Greg Smith, David Townsend, Quentin Ferreira.