South Africa beginning to feel pressure (6 June 1999)

6 June 1999

South Africa beginning to feel pressure

The Electronic Telegraph

From the moment it was announced that May-June were the scheduled months for the World Cup, it was going to be a bowlers' tournament. It has surprised no one that the seamers have taken the lion's share of the headlines and Tendulkar, Lara and Co have been reduced to support roles.

Given this scenario South Africa's bowlers were always going to be a handful, especially with the white ball that has made opening the batting the least envied position in the order. Apart from the hiccup against a very underrated Zimbabwe, South Africa's bowlers have done the job. Most impressive is how they have kept their nerve even when are looking decidedly shaky. If they make the finals the experience will stand them in good stead.

There were signs, though, that the fielding is not as sharp as before and even the throwing not as accurate, even though there were three run-outs against Pakistan, mainly of their own doing.

Perhaps "pacing" your run to the finals is as important as the full-on workouts that precede a match. Wear and tear, combined with continued pressure, wears down all but the very toughest and even they sometimes fall victim to their own high standards.

The batting has not been of high quality with too many loose shots proving costly. It is important to gain a momentum and ensure a healthy run rate but it is a delicate balance between playing your natural game and being pressured into shots that are just not on.

Herschelle Gibbs seems to be in limbo as to what role to play. He has talent and can tee off at any time but on every occasion that he has tried it has led to his downfall. The wickets in England are not the place to take on the opening bowlers - even Sachin Tendulkar has an air of fallibility so the mere mortals have to accept that runs in the first 15 overs are not as big a priority as wickets in hand.

The South Africa top is not simple. Therefore it is up to one of their senior batsmen to ensure stability - that means Gary Kirsten or Daryll Cullinan. They will need to apply their survival technique. The bowling from now on is going to be very testing so temperament is of prime importance, as is technique and footwork, which will be tested to the limit.

Cullinan has the best and most organised technique and ought to come in as early as possible to bat through the overs. However the pressure sometimes tells on his undoubted ability, which leads to a very soft dismissal. A heave across the line is totally out of character for an otherwise correct technique but it does happen under pressure. Better shot selection and a willingness to bat the overs is something that has eluded him this World Cup.

If South Africa are to progress more is needed from the experienced No 4. It is a time for him to stand up and be counted. If he can stamp his authority on the finals South Africa will approach them with more confidence.

Hanse Cronje and Jonty Rhodes are short of runs in spite of the fact that the captain and coach have been juggling the order. That may be innovative on one hand but a little destabilising on the other. Some players cannot be happy with the situation. Some don't mind the flexibility but others would prefer a set routine. So far most of the innovations have been successful but it was hard to understand Cronje coming in at No 3 against two of the best fast bowlers in the world, a situation he would be least comfortable with.

South Africa have tested their resolve to the limit by having to come back from early setbacks. That in itself will worry all the other teams, but you can't help feeling that the pressure is starting to get to them. If they have to dig even deeper in the games to come will it leave enough for the final?

West Indies fast bowler Courtney Walsh will keep playing until he becomes the leading wicket-taker in Tests.

The 36-year-old, who is 11 wickets short of equalling Kapil Dev's world record 434, claims he still has the motivation to take him past the Indian all-rounder's tally.

"I would have been satisfied with 400 but I have the chance of getting past two great bowlers, Sir Richard Hadlee and Kapil Dev," he said.

Source :: The Electronic Telegraph