Mpitsang set to make debut (5 February 1999)
BLOEMFONTEIN - Plucked from the ranks of the South African under/19 side now in Pakistan, teenage Free State fast bowler Victor Mpitsang is set to become the second youngest player to earn a senior cap when he makes his debut at Springbok Park today
05-Feb-1999
5 February 1999
Mpitsang set to make debut
Trevor Chesterfield
BLOEMFONTEIN - Plucked from the ranks of the South African under/19
side now in Pakistan, teenage Free State fast bowler Victor Mpitsang
is set to become the second youngest player to earn a senior cap when
he makes his debut at Springbok Park today in the sixth limited-overs
game against the West Indies.
Although it is not a test cap Mpitsang, at 18 years and 351 days
should join Paul Adams as the second youngest South African to make an
international appearance in what is his hometown. It would make him
the second black to play for South Africa after Mkahaya Ntini last
season.
Although it is coming possibly a few days late, Mpitsang's inclusion
comes after South Africa clinched the Standard Bank Series slogs 4-1
at Newlands. It gives the selectors a chance to give the former Grey
College youngster a taste of the international arena before the tour
of New Zealand, which starts next week.
Mpitsang is one of possibly three changes to the side with the
selectors reverting to the rotation system for the games at Springbok
Park and SuperSport Centurion, although Hansie Cronje, the captain,
was reluctant to divulge "too many pre-match secrets". Whether Cronje
plays is another matter. He has a groin injury which may prevent him
from bowling although agreed he would like to play "in front of my
home crowd".
Jonty Rhodes seems set to miss today's sixth match of the series while
Daryll Cullinan may return at the expense of Gary Kirsten after
missing the Cape Town game because of an illness to his son. Allan
Donald is another unlikely to play and Steve Elworthy could be rested,
making a place open to test Mpitsang's ability at this high pressured
level.
"Sure the last two games in the series could give us a chance to try
other players," said Cronje, stating the obvious. "As we have not yet
had a selection meeting I cannot comment on the side likely to play.
"What I can tell you though is there is still a lot to play for and
those who do have personal goals to achieve.
"There is a tour of New Zealand coming up next week and I know we need
to have a look at those players as well," he added, indication
preference being given to those who are to tour the shaky isles as
opposed to the four remaining home.
This being the case Mike Rindel and Andrew Hall, who have not played
since the second game in East London, may get a chance on Sunday as
opposed to today's match which Cronje indicated he would like to win
as "comprehensively as possible".
Against this current touring mob anything is possible. Cartoonists
have run out of ideas lampooning the Windies and writers covering the
tour have become embarrassed about mentioning their latest batting
debacle.
Chance of Brian Lara playing again look remote although the physio,
Dennis Waight, indicated yesterday it was up to the Windies captain
whether he played or not.
"It is his decision," said the physio.
Kimberley-born Mpitsang, educated at Grey College and who made his
provincial debut last summer before playing for South Africa in the
under/19 World Cup, earned his A Section (SuperSport Series) cap
earlier this season. Spotted several years ago by Corrie van Zyl, the
current assistant South African coach, the youngster had a bursary
organised to allow him to study at the famous Bloemfontein college.
Squads
South Africa: Gary Kirsten, Herschelle Gibbs, Jacques Kallis,
Hansie Cronje (captain), Jonty Rhodes, Dale Benkenstein, Shaun
Pollock, Lance Klusener, Mark Boucher, Nicky Boje, Steve Elworthy,
Gary Kirsten, Henry Williams, Victor Mpitsang, Pat Symcox, Andrew
Hall, Mike Rindel
West Indies: Shivnarine Chanderpaul, Junior Murray, Brian Lara
(captain), Keith Arthurton, Carl Hooper, Ridley Jacobs, Keith Semple,
Nixon McLean, Neil McGarrell, Curtly Ambrose, Reon King, Philo
Wallace, Darren Ganga, Rawl Lewis,
Source :: Trevor Chesterfield, Pretoria News