Cronje defends his tactics (16 March 1999)

16 March 1999

Cronje defends his tactics

The Christchurch Press

South African captain Hansie Cronje defended his tactics in the rain-ruined drawn second cricket test at Jade Stadium.

Cronje has been criticised for not declaring his team's first innings closed sooner to have more opportunity to bowl New Zealand out and press for a 1-0 series lead. "We were intending to have a bowl at New Zealand for the last hour on the fourth day but we didn't know what the weather would do. We could have gone out there and then probably off soon after for bad light."

Cronje said it was possibly worth sacrificing a test win to get double century-maker Herschelle Gibbs under way in the top of the batting order at test level.

Cronje's intention had been to score around 650 to 700 runs and then place pressure on New Zealand. "Losing 21/2 to three days is pretty disappointing."

Cronje said when he declared yesterday with 105 overs possible and 274 runs ahead, he thought a win was possible. When the day was reduced to 60 overs, he knew a result was unlikely. "Looking back now we would have liked to have batted quicker but once we realised time was running out I thought we upped the rate nicely."

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