Bryson back in Northerns squad

Centurion: Rudi Bryson, the unfortunate victim of a recent slection wrangle when a combined team played the England tourists, has been recalled to the Northerns side for the opening day/night series match of the season tomorrow.

Bryson, left out for what can only be described as a spurious decision with heavy political overtones, is part of the 13-strong squad for the Standard Bank Cup game against Eastern Province at SuperSport Park. Capped for South Africa in limited-overs internationals in the 1996/97 season, the fast bowler, it mistakenly thought, would be part of the Gauteng XI playing the England visitors in a limited-overs game in Lenasia tomorrow.

But Peter Kirsten, convener of the Northerns Titans selection panel and the team's coach, was not interested in the plans of invitation teams when he released the 13 names yesterday with a cheerful smile.

Winners of the League Trophy last season, a system which has since been scrapped in favour of new format which allows for the top four to reach a semi-final stage, Northerns are going through a transition stage in their make up and the question mark over the Mike Rindel/Roy Pienaar partnership remains.

The two batsmen did much to help the Titans win the league last season but both players have shown erratic form and the challenge of playing a side such as Eastern Province may yet provide the spark to ignite the old fire.

Kirsten has pulled together a squad which has the ability to go through to the final in March with Rudolf Steyn included in the top six while Johan Myburg, whom it is felt should inherit either Pienaar or Rindel's place in the top-order, left out.

Dirkie de Vos returns after some fine form with the B squad while Steve Elworthy is to head an attack which, Bryson apart, has several interesting components, including Pierre Joubert and Greg Smith.

Another absentee is Quentin Ferreira who is progressing well after an elbow operation ambushed his plans to make the squad.

The squad had a training session at centurion yesterday and a three-hour net session today as the squad reconvenes after a break since the last A Section match.

The day/night slogs tomorrow sees the start of a hectic December schedule with 16 days play out of 23 days before the Christmas/New Year break. At the weekend Northerns play Boland in the start of the Super Eights.

The squad: Roy Pienaar, Mike Rindel, Neil McKenzie, Martin van Jaarsveld, Rudolf Steyn, Gerald Dros, Dirkie de Vos, Mpho Pedi, Steve Elworthy, Mark Davis (capt), Greg Smith, Rudi Bryson, Pierre Joubert.