Kirsten and Gibbs get their show on the road again (10 June 1999)

10 June 1999

Kirsten and Gibbs get their show on the road again

Trevor Chesterfield

Birmingham - While Gary Kirsten and Herschelle Gibbs re-established their countrymen's faith in their ability to score runs with a century partnership it was New Zealanders Gavin Larsen and Geoff Allott who added to the entertainment on a chilly afternoon at Edgbaston today.

After days of rumblings about the failure of the Western Province duo to give South Africa a solid platform to build a match-winning total and suggestions of changes to the top order, which ranged from axing the left-hand Kirsten to opening with Nicky Boje, they found the Kiwi bowling act a soft touch.

Not deliberately of course: the Kiwis would be the first to tell you they are a tough competitive bunch and would not give anything away; especially not in a Super Six match as crucial as this one.

The left-arm quick Geoff Allott, if we are to believe the speed gun, reached 90 mph, and earned the wicket of Herschelle Gibbs to make him the highest wicket-taker in a World Cup tournament. Larsen, who bowled Lance Klusener, earned £1 000 for the 'charity of his choice' for the privilege of dismissing the 'giant killer' of the tournament. The money was donated by the sponsors of the event.

Who it will go to is still to be decided but it is a worthwhile effort. Taking Klusener's wicket so cheaply was a big plus for the New Zealanders, by that stage, however, Kirsten and Gibbs had posted their best scores of the tournament and set up South Africa for an impressive total of 287 for five, which was always going to be a big challenge for the Kiwis to match.

They needed a victory here if they hope to edge Zimbabwe out of the semi-finals and now have to rely on beating India at Trent Bridge on Saturday if they are to get through: depending, of course, Pakistan manage to rub out Zimbabwe at The Oval on Friday.

There was some good batting from South African openers, though. On a day which should have reminded them of Newlands in Cape Town, cloudy, blustery and a wind sweeping off the mountain perched at mid-wicket (looking down the pitch from the media centre). There was some sumptuous strokes; even handsome if you prefer; it was good to see, though.

It was a game of crucial importance to both countries: South Africa to confirm a semi-final spot as well as lift their net run rate into the plus area, ditto New Zealand in terms of run rate and psychological advantage for the India game.

Apart from posting their best opening partnership of the tournament, eclipsing the 111 by the same pair against England at The Oval, they declined to take risks and batted with care attention and the sort of discipline which both batsmen have always been capable of producing. Conditions may have been trying at times with the ball moving around, yet the Kiwis bowled disappointingly.

Dion Nash worked up some pace as did Allott, but as South Africa, seeking quick runs pushed Klusener up the order with the total at 176 for one no one could blame Hansie Cronje for taking the view it was a prudent move. Okay, it failed, too. But with Jacques Kallis smashing Chris Harris about the place and taking 24 off one over, including two of three sixes - Cronje hit the other - the question arose, who needs Klusener?

The run-making was of such frenetic pace that the Kiwis must have wondered what all the fuss over Klusener had been. Kallis with 53 off 36 balls and Cronje 39 off 22 balls took over that role without too much bother.