Test openers on trial for England series

Centurion: Although the latest political fracas over what had been the selection of a ``lilly white'' combination of a South African provincial side is unlikely to disturb the thinking of the national selectors, Rushdie Majiet?s panel are still looking for a settled Test side to play England this summer.

Around 4pm tomorrow we should know just how far the current thinking has gone when the side for the first Test against England, starting at the Wanderers in Johannesburg on Thursday is announced. Along with that team is also the South Africa A team for the three limited-overs matches against Sri Lanka A.

As it is there has long been the suspicion the two Tests against Zimbabwe was a matter of testing the strength of the batting more than the bowling. After all, the two victories by an innings against Zimbabwe supported the long-held theory that South Africa?s fire power this season is going to be very much pace and seam orientated.

Especially in southern Africa conditions where pace, with the subtle touches of swing and seam are going to provide teams with the bowlers most needed to win matches. Spin may play a role, but if what we have been presented with so far this season is an example, it is only going to be a minor one other than on days four and five at such venues as the Wanderers and Port Elizabeth.

The role of the fourth seamer in the first weeks has been one of the debating points while Paul Adams, in Bloemfontein at least, showed his capabilities on a surface which gave him help on day four the first Test against Zimbabwe.

Yet when it comes to batting, the options are not to clearly defined as say the bowling places open to Allan Donald, Shaun Pollock, Lance Klusener and Jacques Kallis. The only genuine concern is whether Kallis is capable of bowling in the first couple of Tests against England.

They are most likely to trust their instincts and work on the theory that the same bowlers who routed Zimbabwe four times are good enough to do the job against England. On stand by, however, we are likely to see Mornantau Hayward, David Terbrugge, Steve Elworthy and perhaps Greg Smith or even Ross Veenstra is the selectors are serious about introducing variation.

What is of more concern is the batting, especially the top four. Whether Boeta Dippenaar can hang on to his place ahead of Gary Kirsten and Herschelle Gibbs is preferred to Adam Bacher is causing interesting debate in most corners of the pavilions around the country.

Kallis is a natural at three: a position he has made his own during the last two years but Daryll Cullinan and Bacher, both failed in Harare and as they have managed none too may runs in the two Tests against Zimbabwe it was little wonder they were pulled into the combined Northerns/Gauteng XI at what has been strongly alleged the request of Majiet and Co.

Of the two men in possession, Bacher, who was brought in as Kirsten?s replacement for the inaugural Test in Bloemfontein, and Cullinan, are under most pressure. And there is still no certainty that Gibbs, after a long lay off, is ready for a return to the Test scene.

Just how Bacher and Cullinan perform against the England XI at SuperSport Park in Centurion is a question only likely to be decided today after Clive Eksteen, yesterday, won the toss and decided to bowl first. It adds a touch of spice to the selectors philosophy.

It is understood that both Hansie Cronje and the coach, Graham Ford, will be consulted on team selection for the first Test at the Wanderers and the A Team limited overs squad. Ford spent the first day of the game at Centurion yesterday and must have seen enough to make up his own mind on what he has to say in his first meeting with the selectors.

With Jonty Rhodes showing his form with a good century against Free State at Kingsmead yesterday there is no doubt he should retain his place.

But, apart from Gibbs for Bacher, unless he bats well against the England XI today side which beat Zimbabwe with such convincing ease is most likely to be retained. Tampering with batting depth is a sure recipe for disaster.

The likely team: Boeta Dippenaar, Herschelle Gibbs, Jacques Kallis, Daryll Cullinan, Hansie Cronje (capt), Jonty Rhodes, Mark Boucher, Shaun Pollock, Lance Klusener, Allan Donald, Paul Adams.