Symcox in line for World Cup squad (28 February 1999)

28 February 1999

Symcox in line for World Cup squad

Trevor Chesterfield

CENTURION (Centurion) - Pat Symcox, flown home from New Zealand a week ago as the tour entered the Test-match phase has been retained in the South African squad which was Sunday reduced to 19 on Sunday.

But uncertainty remains whether he is to return to join Hansie Cronje's tourists for the second set of three limited-overs matches later this month. Symcox apart the other choices which may surprise are those of Paul Adams and Makhaya Ntini who have been included in the 19, although Adams was not in the initial squad of 30 when it was announced in January.

There could be the argument that after the political rumpus of the last week that Ntini has been brought in as a political "appeasement move" - a comment which will always be disputed by Peter pollock, the convener of selectors, and Dr Ali Bacher, managing director of the United Cricket Brad.

Ntini's form has not improved, even marginally while Adams has not bowled in a one-day game for South Africa this season, either against the West Indies or in New Zealand. Another reason for Adams' surprise choice as part of the 19 is that he was not included in the one-day sides which played in England last year of was part of the one-day squads to the Commonwealth Games in Kuala Lumpur or the Mini World Cup in Bangladesh.

Adams last played a one-day game for South Africa against Australia in Sydney last season where he had figures of 1/47 against his name. While the selectors have not closed the door on others coming into consideration when the final 15 is announced on Easter Saturday, April 3, the only domestic games left are the Standard Bank Cup matches with the quarter-finals starting on March 10.

Peter Pollock, convener of the national selectors who announced the squad along with the SA President's XI to play England A at a venue still to be decided, but most likely Durban, said the pleasing aspect of the World Cup squad were the number of all-rounders available to the selectors.

"You will find that all the great sides have built their strength around all-rounders as there is no exceptions here," Pollock said.

To underline his comments there are nine in the squad of 19 headed by those who are already in New Zealand in Jacques Kallis, Shaun Pollock, Lance Klusener, Hansie Cronje, Nicky Boje and Steve Elworthy, along with Alan Dawson, Derek Crookes and Pat Symcox.

Crookes is to lead the President's XI against England A in the match starting Thursday and there are no real surprises apart from the omission of Sven Koenig who played in the South Africa A side against the West Indies in Pietermaritzburg.

Northerns fast bowler David Townsend earns his first representative game after taking 10 wickets in the SuperSport Series match against Free State at Centurion Park which ended Sunday while Boeta Dippenaar, regarded as a promising future player, also earns a place..

Hansie Cronje (capt), Shaun Pollock (vice-capt), Gary Kirsten, Herschelle Gibbs, Jacques Kallis, Daryll Cullinan, Jonty Rhodes, Lance Klusener, Nicky Boje, Mark Boucher, Allan Donald, Alan Dawson, Steve Elworthy, Dale Benkenstein, Derek Crookes, Pat Symcox, Nic Pothas, Paul Adams, Makhaya Ntini.

Derek Crookes (Gauteng, capt), Mark Bruyns (Natal), Carl Bradfield (EP), Boeta Dippenaar (FS), Martin van Jaarsveld (Northerns), Finley Brooker (Griquas), Shafiek Abrahams (EP), Lulama Masikazana (EP), David Townsend (Northerns), Mornantau Hayward (EP)

Source :: Trevor Chesterfield, Pretoria News