Hayward reconsidered

At the risk of reading too much into a single performance, South Africa might have to quickly make up their minds exactly what role they want Nantie Hayward to play in Sri Lanka.

In a previous incarnation, Hayward was a red-headed, tearaway fast bowler who paid little heed to advice from his elders and betters. Legend has it that even Kepler Wessels deemed it prudent to couch his instructions to Hayward in politer terms than he might usually employ.

Then Hayward went to England with South African in 1998 and discovered that there was more to bowling than pace, aggression and attitude. He came back, dyed his hair and started listening to those around him.

Against England last summer Hayward was still quick, but also prepared to bowl for his captain and, by extension, his team. He might be a little shy of the speeds generated by Brett Lee and Shoaib Akhtar, but he's there or thereabouts and remains a contender.

More importantly, Hayward has learned a few tricks. He can bowl cutters, he can take the pace off the ball when necessary and he has the strength and stamina to make batsmen hop about against the old ball late in the day. But he remains a fast bowler whose primary assets are pace and aggression. South Africa, it seems, might have to choose between him bowling line and length in the one-dayers or going flat out in the Test matches.

Hayward had a horrible time of it in Galle on Thursday. With a cross-breeze to contend with, he simply could not control the new, white ball. Despite a wobbly start, Sri Lanka were able to recover from 33 for three to post an entirely respectable 247 for seven, a total which proved just too much for the tourists, despite Andrew Hall and Gary Kirsten's magnificent opening stand.

In the field, South Africa looked a side straight out of the middle of winter and well short of match practice. The 24 wides conceded were an unwanted South African record and coupled with seven no balls provided Sri Lanka with an additional five overs. Hayward suffered the most. He went for 40 off his first four overs and perhaps with only two deliveries did he threaten.

He should not be too discouraged, however. In 1993 another big, blond tearaway named Brett Schultz helped Allan Donald knock Sri Lanka over in the Test matches. As with Schultz, Hayward's true value will come in the Test matches where he won't be inhibited by the one-day wide laws and where his job will be to run in and let it go.

There are options for South Africa. David Terbrugge and Roger Telemachus sat out in Galle yesterday and it is something of a mystery why Andrew Hall, a bowler who bats up the order for his province, is regarded as a specialist batsman by South Africa.

As far as Hayward is concerned, he has been earmarked as the eventual replacement for Donald. Let him simmer for a week or two, and then bring him to the boil for the Test matches.