Centurion (South Africa) - With heavy criticism from their
skipper Hansie Cronje very much in their thoughts after some slap
dash performances South Africa's top batsmen are being sent back
to school to learn to cope with the demands needed for the 10
tests in the summer ahead. And the venue of this particular
exercise is Bloemfontein where the first Test of the season,
against Zimbabwe, is being played at the end of the month. Which
makes sense and among those likely to be invited is Daryll
Cullinan, turfed out by the selectors after a disappointing World
Cup.
Although this does not indicate Cullinan is likely to be
included in the South African side for the first Test against
Zimbabwe is to be announced, most likely around October 22 or 23
during the third round of SuperSport Series matches, it makes
sense that he be included in the squad. The batting lessons in
Bloemfontein are, it has been suggested, be held on October 18 and
19 which falls in between the second and third round matches of
the A Section. Others who face an invitation are Gary Kirsten,
Herschelle Gibbs, Jacques Kallis, Cullinan, Cronje, Jonty Rhodes,
Boeta Dippenaar, Dale Benkenstein, Mark Boucher and possibly a
couple of those who have shown some form during the first two
rounds. There is also a chance that Martin van Jaarsveld, HD
Ackerman or even Gerry Liebenberg may get a look in as the
selectors mull over the A team possibilities for the Sri Lanka
games in November.
At least the selectors will get an idea of hopefully knowing what
they are looking for when it comes to their batting choices. As
for Gibbs, the new national coach, Graham Ford felt the young man
showed a lot of character and courage in helping South Africa win
the final of LG Cup against India in Nairobi on Sunday. It was
the way he batted for the South African A side in Sri Lanka last
year. He went out to bat with a single purpose in mind and that
was to help us win, the coach added. It said it for all the
players. They went into the game with the sort of determination
which said a lot for team spirit.
But the man Ford reserved special praise for is the captain,
Cronje. A coach can do so much only the way Hansie approached
the tournament after that heavy defeat by India in out first
game was quite awesome, Ford said yesterday. It is often not
easy to come back after such a heavy defeat and go on to win
the final the way we did, and this is where I think South Africa
showed the others why they are the side they are, he commented.
The guys were focused and knew what they had to do to come
back. They showed the sort of fighting spirit which has turned
them into the side they are.