World Cup dream loom for Northerns Duo
Trevor Chesterfield
18 January 1999
IN CENTURION
As Mike Rindel and Steve Elworthy have their limited-overs
international careers extended by another series chances loom for
places in the World Cup squad later this year.
Which is one cheerful bit of news for the Northerns all-rounders
although not great for Peter Kiersten who has to find adequate
replacements for two crucial slog games at the end of the month and
slap in the middle of the Standard Bank seven match one-day series
against the West Indies which starts at the Wanderers on Friday.
Whether the pair are likely to go to New Zealand will only be decided
next week in Durban. But inclusion in the one-day side at least the
selectors have included them in their thinking for the World Cup squad
of 30, also announced yesterday.
Yet as they would be the first to admit ``now that hard work beings'' as
they look toward retaining their place when the World Cup squad is cut
to 19 at the end of February. Why 19 is an inetresting one, no doubt
to provide the printers of the cup programmes with an idea of who is
likely to head for the chill and damp of yet another English ... er
summer.
There are those who though Rindel and Elworthy had not done enough to
include selection, especially as names such as Ashwell Prince and Alan
Dawson would get a look in. In fact apart from Andrew Hall, who earns
his place on the form shown for Gauteng this season especially in the
four-day game, the other new face is Victor Mpitsang, more likely to
give him experince and a taste of the game at a higher level.
The selectors, headed by Peter Pollock, went largely for experinece
and retained a majority of the one-day squad who played in England in
the Emerites Triangular, Commonwealth Games and the Wills Cup in
Bangladesh. No doubt this is why we see Dale Benkenstein, Nicky Boje
and Pat Symcox back in the squad.
The 17-strong line up would also include Allan Donald and David
Terbrugge, ruled out at present because of injury. Donald has
hamstring worries and Terbrugge an ankle twinge.
Selection panel convener Pollock felt that they would be fit for
consideration for the New Zealand tour next month. One name missing is
Paul Adams who is now no doubt seen more as a test playerOne surprise
for the series of seven against the Windies is Henry Williams as the
Boland bowler is said to have a shoulder injury only a week ago, but
that's just a rumour (or so we are led to believe).
As for the additional 11 who make up the World Cup 30 nameds such as
Andrew Hudson, Adam Bacher, Dawson and Derek Crookes pop up along with
Mornantau Hayward, Makhaya Ntini (''Purely on cricket grounds,'' said
Pollock) along with Prince and Roger Telemachus.
The latter, we are told might be starting to bowl soon but we will
believe that when it happens. Pollock said the selectors are happy
about his progress. As he has not bowled since last May, it will be
interesting to see where how accurate is their information. Crookes
was upset at missing out on the squad for the series against the
Windies as he felt he had recovered from a recent back injury. Which
is not the official word from Gauteng.
Squad: Hansie Cronje (capt), Gary Kirsten, Mike Rindel, Daryll
Cullinan, Jacques Kallis, Jonty Rhodes, Herschelle Gibbs, Shaun
Pollock, Mark Boucher, Lance Klusener, Pat Symcox, Steve Elworthy,
Nicky Boje, Dale Benkenstein, Andrew Hall, Victor Mpitsang, Henry
Williams.
Also included: Allan Donald and David Terbrugge.
Added for World Cup: Adam Bacher, Derek Crookes, Alan Dawson,
Tyrone Henderson, Mornantau Hayward, Justin Kemp, Makaya Ntini, Nic
Pothas, Ashwell Prince, Roger Telemachus.
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