Bruised Proteas pose risk (17 February 1999)

17 February 1999

Bruised Proteas pose risk

Geoff Longley

New Zealand's cricketing resurgence will be tested to the limit by a South African side bent on squaring the BNZ one-day series at Jade Stadium today.

The Black Caps have enhanced their reputation and restored some cricketing credibility, following heartening efforts against India and the rousing one-day win over the South Africans in Dunedin on Sunday.

However, the Proteas' pride has been stung, making them an even more formidable opponent. By their own admission, they performed below their best at Carisbrook and are seeking to make amends.

The record book suggests that under Hansie Cronje they rarely lose two matches in succession -- anywhere in the world.

South Africa has a staggering success rate in one-dayers, about 75 per cent since Cronje took over in 1994-95. They have won 77 of their 103 matches.

New Zealand coach Steve Rixon is well aware the visitors may have been underdone in Dunedin and that the Black Caps will have to raise the stakes accordingly.

Hindering New Zealand will be the absence of the injured Chris Cairns, a genuine all-rounder.

No immediate replacements loomed, thus the Black Caps are likely to bolster their batting with the inclusion of both Roger Twose and Matthew Bell.

Just where they bat is another matter, with Rixon indicating one at No. 4 and one at No. 8.

Bell deserves another opportunity after his spirited innings in Dunedin.

That means one of the bowlers is likely to be 12th man again. Doull may be the likely contender after Geoff Allott's four-wicket bag in Dunedin. However, Doull can beat batsmen with swing and conditions may be conducive to that.

The pitch has little grass, and Rixon was expecting a relatively placid pace.

Groundsman Chris Lewis has not had the easiest time preparing it with a four-day Shell Trophy match played on the adjoining portable pitch last week. That was also used for the New Zealand-South Africa women's one-day match on Monday.

Given just four full pitches on the block, Lewis has had to manufacture a wicket in between two strips already exhausted by Shell Cup games this season. He is still saving one wicket for the South African test in mid-March.

Rixon said the Black Caps' revival was well due.

"The Indian tour was the greatest ray of sunshine we have experienced in my coaching time. There were real signs of maturity.

"It's taken two and a half years and is something that should have happened by now."

When asked to sum up what the improvement boiled down to, Rixon said: "Attitude."

"We've been through a helluva learning curve. We got our backsides kicked in Australia but we are now learning how to get out of some tough situations."

At 56 for four three days ago at Carisbrook, many New Zealand teams would have sunk without trace. The Black Caps will need similar doses of resolve to cope with the expected South African backlash today.

Rixon acknowledged the danger that South African speedster Allan Donald, in particular, posed and said with some quality bowlers it was worth while seeing them off.

The visitors will field a similar side to that beaten in the opening encounter but may consider replacing opener Gary Kirsten, who has been battling for form, with another batsman Daryll Cullinan.

South Africa had a long practice session yesterday, and Cronje pronounced himself happy with his team's preparation.

"We've had two days of settling down and getting into it.

"It's probably better preparation than what it was at Dunedin. I think we're ready," he said.

South Africa also had a meeting yesterday, but Cronje insisted it was not a finger-pointing session after the Dunedin defeat.

"We recapped on our one-day disciplines and talked about what has made us successful over the last four years, just to hammer that in.

"It wasn't a matter of naughty boys meeting after losing one game. We know what we did wrong and where we want to improve.

"We were not on the deal at Dunedin, (we were) 30-odd runs short. Fielding-wise, in the past we've made some good catches and run-outs and we need a couple of those things to go our way," Cronje said.

New Zealand: Matt Horne, Nathan Astle, Craig McMillan, Roger Twose, Dion Nash (captain), Chris Harris, Matthew Bell, Adam Parore, Daniel Vettori, Gavin Larsen, Simon Doull, Geoff Allott.

South Africa: Herschelle Gibbs, Gary Kirsten, Jacques Kallis, Hansie Cronje (captain), Jonty Rhodes, Dale Benkenstein, Mark Boucher, Shaun Pollock, Lance Klusener, Pat Symcox, Allan Donald, Daryll Cullinan.

Source :: The Christchurch Press (https://www.press.co.nz/)