South African squad unchanged for final Test (7 January 1999)

7 January 1999

South African squad unchanged for final Test

By Bob Dubery

JOHANNESBURG, 7th January 1999.

The South African selectors have named an unchanged squad of 12 for the fifth and final test match against the West Indies.

Every fit member of the West Indies squad - including the replacement players who arrived after the tour commenced - has played in this Test series as the tourists have struggled to find a competitive combination. In contrast South Africa have named just 14 players in their various squad combinations, and only 13 have actually played.

After the first test the selectors dropped opening batsman Adam Bacher and took a gamble in replacing him with Herschelle Gibbs. After the third test Pat Symcox was dropped, Paul Adams - 12th man for the first three matches - was bought into the playing eleven and Lance Klusener was bought into the squad.

There is still some concern about Allan Donald's fitness. Donald sustained a hamstring injury during the Newlands match. If Donald is not able to play at Centurion Park then Lance Klusener will be bought into the attack to share the new ball with Shaun Pollock.

The squad is:

Hansie Cronje (captain), Shaun Pollock (vice-captain), Gary Kirsten, Herschelle Gibbs, Jacques Kallis, Darryl Cullinan, Jonty Rhodes, Mark Boucher, Allan Donald, David Terbrugge, Paul Adams, Lance Klusener

Source :: Bob Dubery