Klusener defends his decision to sue SA board

Most people react to being dropped from a side with a shrug and a few muttered oaths. But Lance Klusener has not taken the news of his omission from South Africa's touring side quite so philosophically - he is planning to sue the South African board for loss of earnings.

Klusener's argument is that he turned down offers of work with English counties after being assured that he would be included in the squad. He claims that he was told that he would be rested for the tour to Bangladesh, but would return for the England trip.

"It's like your boss calling you on a Saturday night and saying, 'Sorry, old chap, but you don't have to come to work on Monday. You're fired. How would you feel if it happened to you?" Klusener told the South African-based You magazine. "Wouldn't you also be disappointed? Some people may think it's sour grapes, but that's not true at all.

"It was a shock and a disappointment," Klusener admitted. "I was here at home and immediately went to tell my wife. England would have been a highlight for me. I wanted to play at Lord's again. I played for South Africa with pride for eight years. I gave my all."

And Klusener dismissed accusations made by Graeme Smith, South Africa's captain, that the side was better off without him as he was not a team player. "I'm a private person," Klusener explained. "I hate being around lots of people. It saps my energy. Now people are saying I'm a miserable sod. Why is it if you don't want to be part of the crowd you're always seen as different?"

While Smith has told reporters that he regrets making the comments, Klusener said that he had yet to receive an apology in person. "Maybe he doesn't have my number. The whole thing between Graeme and I is a shame. I read what he said in the papers and I still don't know exactly what he meant."

Klusener's decision to take legal action is unlikely to endear him to the selectors and whatever the outcome of the court case, if it goes ahead, he will only gain financially if he wins. It is inconceivable that any court could force an organisation to pick a player, especially one whose record of late has hardly been outstanding.