SuperSport Series: KwaZulu-Natal v Western Province Preview (11 February 1999)

11 February 1999

SuperSport Series: KwaZulu-Natal v Western Province Preview

Ken Borland

The young Natal cricket team that pulled off a nailbiting win over Northerns on Wednesday night now travel to Cape Town for a four-day match against Western Province and the likes of Brian McMillan, Craig Matthews and Eric Simons.

With all hopes of competing for the SuperSport Series title gone, Natal's interest now lies in bringing on some of the younger players who have been earmarked for big roles in the future, and what better team to test their resolve than Matthews' Western Province outfit.

Apart from the very experienced trio of former internationals already mentioned, Province have the outstanding talents of HD Ackerman and Alan Dawson, both of whom have produced enough match-winning exploits to make decent names for themselves and join McMillan, Matthews and Simons in national colours.

Natal's strength lies in their top-order batting, which, although frustratingly inconsistent at times, has the distinct touch of class. Natal made merry with the bat against Northerns on Wednesday night, with just Zingari's Doug Watson missing out, and they will be especially encouraged by the busy unbeaten half-century scored by Mark Bruyns.

Bruyns was one of the most talented young batsmen in the country a few years ago, but has never quite converted that potential into consistently heavy scoring, but the confidence he displayed in his 64 not out off just 59 balls against Northerns was an indication that he is ready to return to the frontline of the Natal batting order.

He will need the help of openers Watson and Andrew Hudson, both of whom have produced innings of great worth recently.

Whether captain Errol Stewart bats in the top four as well will depend on whether Natal want to have all their experienced batsmen together at the top or keep some by to bat with the youngsters in the middle-order.

Wade Wingfield showed on Wednesday night that, given the support of the senior pros, the inexperienced batsmen in the Natal team can still produce the goods, a la Jon Kent's brilliant century in the last SuperSport Series match.

Obviously the Natal batsmen are going to have to get round a potent Western Province attack on a pitch that has been quite unpredictable in terms of the amount of life in it for bowlers. Any juiciness will favour McMillan, Dawson, Matthews and Simons, although Natal's pace trio of Jannie Dreyer, Keith Storey and Gary Gilder would obviously also be happy to make use of that sort of pitch.

Both sides also boast very capable spinners; Claude Henderson having displaced Paul Adams at times since his move from Boland to Western Province, while fellow left-armer Craig Tatton has fought very hard to get back into the Natal team.

The match will perhaps best be remembered, however, for the senior Natal debut of Ashraf Mall, the on-going affirmative action saga providing a somewhat unfortunate background to his selection. Whether he is in the side because of his colour or because of his fine form for Natal B is open to debate, but he is a beautiful batsman and cricket fans will be hoping his selection proves a success.

Western Province's form has been very up and down this season, but they will field such an experienced and busy outfit this weekend that it will take a supreme effort from the Natal youngsters if they are to further add to the humiliation of a team bowled out for 56 on Wednesday night.

Natal team: Andrew Hudson, Doug Watson, Errol Stewart (capt), Mark Bruyns, Jon Kent, Wade Wingfield, Ashraf Mall, Keith Storey, Gary Gilder, Jannie Dreyer, Craig Tatton, Robbie Macqueen.

TV: CSN.

Natal B (v North-West, Fochville, Friday-Sunday): Duncan Brown, Grant Rowley, Kyle Bender, Mehmood Badat, Bruce Hughes, Anthony Botha, Linda Zondi, Kevin Pieterson, Faeez Khan, Jonathan Bastow, Rudi de Vry, Warren Gray.

Source :: Ken Borland