Adams on World Cup trial (21 March 1999)

21 March 1999

Adams on World Cup trial

Trevor Chesterfield in Centurion

With the national selectors still looking for a back up spinner for the World Cup, three candidates have emerged from the group of players in New Zealand as South Africa who might fit in with their plans.

Pat Symcox's unexpected retirement earlier this month now means Peter Pollock's panel have to decide who is the main spinner for the remaining limited-overs matches against the Kiwis when the one-day slogs continue in Napier on Thursday.

And being one of the centre points of the country's earthquake zone, you could say that the theory is now on decidedly shaky ground.

Nicky Boje, still yet to be given a chance at test level, seems to have taken over from Symcox as the No1 limited-overs spinner, but is Paul Adams ready to make a comeback at the shorter game level, or is there someone else lurking?

Although he had taken two wickets yesterday in helpful conditions at the Basin Reserve in the third test against New Zealand, Adams role had been diminished by Steve Elworthy, the Northerns swing and seam bowler, who took four of the seven Kiwi wickets to fall.

Those remaining behind and included in the original 30 are Derek Crookes and Shafiek Abrahams, while Mark Davis has emerged as an outsider and like Greg Smith has pressed his candidature claims a little too late. Smith can add left-arm variety and it is know than Pollock and other members of his selection panel have taken a close look at his form.

No doubt Rushdie Majiet and Morris Garda, who were at Centurion Park on Friday, had a good look at his abilities when he wrapped up the Free State innings of the day/.night match against Free State with an accolade when he took four wickets.

While Crookes is still considered as a front runner with his 13 wickets at a cost of 18.15, the case could be reopened for Abrahams, although he is no longer a part of the reduced squad of 19. His eight wickets are marginally more expensive than Crookes. Yet his ability has not been diminished by Eastern Province being knocked out of the day/night series at the quarter-final stages.

A careful examination of the first-class record shows that Abrahams, given his first full season with Eastern Province, collected his 30 wickets at 24.43 while Crookes' 24 A Section wickets were at 37.08.

It is also known that selectors take careful note of the demonstration of a player's ability at first-class level, and Abrahams has come through this season better off than even Adams.

The side is to be announced on April 3 at the UCB office at the Wanderers.

Source :: Trevor Chesterfield, Pretoria News