South Korean domestic season resumes (3 Sep 1999)

2 September 1999

South Korean domestic season resumes

The South Korean domestic season resumes for its 1999 Spring season this weekend, (August 29). Olivier de Braekeleer provides this season's preview:

"This competition sees all five teams play each other in a round robin of twenty over games, with the top four qualifying for the semi-finals.

On Sunday August 29th, defending champions Pakistan Airlines (PIA) will take on the Indians, and All Stars play the Embassy. Rest of the World (RoW) has the week off.

PIA must be favourites for another shot at the title but have been known to hit turbulence at unexpected times; skipper Sikander Mirza relies on a mixture of youth and experience in his team, and has in Nasir probably the most consistent of all-rounders in the competition.

The Indians, who led the league in the Spring, have the elan to bounce back from their defeat in the last semis, and the experience to beat every one else in the competition. Captained by Vijay Aswani, the team relies much on the batting of Shammi.

All Stars, led by Gerald Ross, have spent the summer in the city recruiting promising young elements like Casey and Griffiths to reinforce their vigour; will it be enough to carry them all the way? Team selection will be the key to their trophy hunting.

The Embassy has successfully recruited a number of South African teachers, whose enthusiasm will be needed for Ian Walker's team to re-establish themselves at the top. Spragg remains a danger with the bat, but the bowling has had a little trouble to get opposing teams on the defensive.

Rest of the World will miss skipper Tony James, still injured from a fluke accident last season, but continue to have a strong line-up led by Shah and Gaskin, as well as our own version of the Lankan slinger. Always a team to watch."