South Africa change their squad for the Newlands Test (29 December 1998)

29 December 1998

South Africa change their squad for the Newlands Test

By Bob Dubery

JOHANNESBURG, The South African selectors have made one change to the squad for the 4th Test of the current series - now secured by the hosts - against the West Indies. Allrounder Lance Klusener returns at the expense of Pat Symcox.

Symcox played in all of the first 3 matches, and his omission guarantees a change in the South African bowling line-up. Paul Adams, now the only spin bowler in the squad will almost certainly play and so Klusener is likely to slot in at 9 in place of Symcox and ensure that the sting in the South African batting tail remains potent.

So who will sit out? Probably David Terbrugge whose debut has been respectable rather than spectacular.

Klusener's selection may be criticised in some quarters. Earlier this month the UCB announced several changes to selectorial policy which were designed to make sure that non-white players were given every chance of representing their country. Amongst the changes announced was a decision to consider promising "development" players for matches that had no bearing on the outcome of a particular series.

South Africa have clinched the Test match series, but they have not made the kind of team changes that were perhaps envisaged - although it is highly probable that another non-white player, Adams, will be included in the actual playing eleven. Whether or not this will placate those elements within the government who have suggested that the UCB is still run along racial lines remains to be seen.

Source :: Bob Dubery