Klusener set to return (22 October 1998)

22 October 1998

Klusener set to return

Trevor Chesterfield

CENTURION (South Africa) - Lance Klusener has answered Natal's call and reported fit for play barely a couple of weeks after throwing away his crutches and discarding the plaster cast.

And at SuperSport Centurion Northerns are preparing for the most crucial weekend assignment in the early part of the Standard Bank League series.

With a side decimated by injuries and international calls, Kwazulu/Natal were in need of the sort of stiff upper-lip bravery which is typical of the response that comes from Klusener's eagerness to accept the challenge.

Possibly joining him tomorrow for the day/night match against North West is Shaun Pollock who trained under the watchful eye of South African phyiso Craig Smith. Both were happy about the tall all-rounder's progress. If passed fit Pollock will captain the side.

Pollock trained at Centurion when the South African squad for the ICC Cup in the Bangladesh knockout series held a pre-tournament practice match.

"I could feel that my back was getting better by the way I was able to drive the ball on the front foot without the discomfort I have been experiencing," Pollock said.

Naturally the news Klusener is back after five months of nursing an injury which cut short his England tour, and Pollock are in the Natal squad had lifted the concerned frown among the nataion selectors.

Klusener's return a month ahead of schedule is going to surprise many but it is the sort of news which has also been welcomed by national coach Bob Woolmer and the captian, Hansie Cronje, hours before flying off to Bangladesh.

If both remain fit they will help Peter Pollock's selection panel juggle their bowling options for the early matches against the West Indians who arrive in two weeks.

"Zulu's recovery has been excellent and has improved since he strated training," said Graham Forde, Natal's director of player affairs. "I think it shows what a good job we have done on Klusener. It is important for his as it is for us.

It's not been so easy for Peter Kirsten, the Northerns coach, who feels he has found two replacements for the mising national players, Mike Rindel and Steve Elworthy. Deon Jordaan comes into the side for Rindel and Greg Smith, who played in the South Africa "A" side during the practice match is in for Elworthy.

"It's a critical weekend for us," admitted Kirsten. "Winning both games will help us achieve our log position objectives."

Northerns play Easterns at Willowmoore Park in Benoni on Friday night and on Sunday are at home to Eastern Province.

"The short break and the rained off game against Western Province has affected our momentum in the one-day game scenario," Kirsten said, "We need to get back to where we were after the victory over Free State. A good win against Easterns will help our focus for the Eastern Province game."

As it is Eastern Province bounced back on Wednesday when they beat Boland quire comfortably at St George's Park. Meyrick Pringle and Eldine Baptiste ripped through the Boland top-order and they were unable to recover. It was a good victory against one of the lesser sides on the limited-overs series, especially after the drubbing by Griqualand West the previous Friday.

Willowmoore Park's low and slow surface set Northerns a problem during the pre-season day/night friendly. As there is also a theory about Martin van Jaarsveld opening the innings instead of Jordaan, there is some uncertainty about the final make up of the Northerns top-order.

While Natal possibly escaped with a lucky point in their game against Free State, Griqualand West go to the Wandereres with more confidence to face Gauteng. Although translating a victory in which Pat Symcox played a major role over Eastern Province into points against Gauteng is going to require a certain amount of good fortune.

Symcox is in Bangldesh and Gauteng seem to be developing a steady limited-overs side: not flashy perhaps but with a dash of quality and experience mixed in with youth and exuberance.

The Border-Boland game in East London could see the end of Boland's plans for a semi-final spot this season. So far they have been soundly outplayed and linking them with Easterns and even North West is one of the arguments why South Africa are in need of a two division competition.

Source :: Trevor Chesterfield, Pretoria News