Now for a dash of colour (10 January 1999)

10 January 1999

Now for a dash of colour

COLIN BRYDEN, Cricket Correspondent

One-dayers offer chance for fringe players to stake World Cup claims:

"We are all Africans...all of us must give our teams the necessary support so that they emerge as world champions" - Thabo Mbeki

THE next great egg dance for the national cricket selectors starts next weekend when they start their planning for the World Cup.There were two major objectives for the South African team this summer - to win the Test series against the West Indies and to win the World Cup.

The first has been achieved, emphatically. The second is attainable by the side ranked number one in limited overs cricket - but factors beyond cricket are involved.South Africa will need to send their best 15 players to the World Cup. There is time for experiments, however, and there is a chance for the selectors to try out fringe players, specifically those "of colour", in the seven-match limited overs series against the West Indies and the tour of New Zealand next month.

The comments of Steve Tshwete, the Minister of Sport, cannot be lightly disregarded, although Deputy President Thabo Mbeki provided a counterpoint when he released the ANC's January 8 statement - which forms the policy position for the year - in Cape Town on Friday.

In an apparent contradiction to Tshwete, who warned last weekend that he would have difficulty supporting "white" teams at the cricket and rugby World Cups, Mbeki pointed out: "We are all Africans."He said: "All of us must give our teams the necessary support so that they emerge as world champions."

Tshwete will meet the United Cricket Board executive during the fifth Test, which starts at Centurion Park on Friday, to expound on his opinions. Percy Sonn, vice-president of the United Cricket Board, said he had sympathy for Tshwete's views. Sonn said the selectors had a big responsibility in the countdown to the World Cup."I can accept a merit situation for the World Cup on the basis that it has been built on a platform of opportunities being given to talented players," said Sonn, who cited the example of Herschelle Gibbs, who was selected as an opening batsman after the furore over the all-white team that played the first Test. "Herschelle has come through and he has added something to the side with his enthusiasm," said Sonn, who said he believed the selectors had not gone far enough in their choices for the fourth and fifth Tests.

"Why chase records when you know there is a responsibility to build a nation?" asked Sonn, who said he had nevertheless accepted the sides as chosen in his capacity as a member of the four-man committee set up to monitor selections."

I have a responsibility to be loyal to my organisation and I felt I wasn't entitled to interfere in the circumstances. But it doesn't mean I am comfortable."

Sonn said the selectors had to be aware of the viewpoint of the majority of South Africans.As always, the gulf between idealism and picking a balanced combination is not easily bridged. Peter Pollock, convener of selectors, said a squad for the one-day series against the West Indies would be picked on Monday week.It has not yet been decided whether the squad will be for all seven matches or for the first three or four games. A preliminary squad of 30 for the World Cup will also be named, which will be trimmed to 19 at the end of February, with the final 15 being decided by early April. On current form, the only member of the 12 selected for the Centurion Test who is unlikely to make a one-day side is Paul Adams, who is not bowling consistently.

Assuming the other 11 are picked, there is then room for only three or perhaps four other players. Free State's left-arm allrounder, Nicky BojT, must be a certainty for a one-day squad, with his fellow spinners Pat Symcox and Derek Crookes also deserving consideration.Dale Benkenstein only returned to provincial action on Friday, but he is a man in possession following the mini World Cup in Bangladesh at the start of the season, as are Mike Rindel and Steve Elworthy, while Makhaya Ntini went to Dhaka but did not play in a game.

Removing Adams will leave the team short of "colour" and the selectors are virtually obliged to cast their net beyond the obvious, mainly white, players.Ashwell Prince of Western Province would fit easily into almost any one-day side. Ntini's credentials this season are far from compelling but, if he is to come back into the reckoning, this might be the time.

What is essential, though, is that if the likes of Prince or Ntini are picked they must be given an extended run. If they succeed, the country can rejoice. If not, they will at least have been given a fair chance.