We'll fight back, say South Africa (16 February 1999)

16 February 1999

We'll fight back, say South Africa

The Christchurch Press

Expect a more complete performance from South Africa in the second one-day cricket international against New Zealand at Jade Stadium tomorrow, warns Proteas coach Bob Woolmer.

Woolmer felt South Africa was below par in its batting and fielding during the first one-day match in Dunedin two days ago. The Black Caps beat South Africa by three wickets.

"I don't want to take anything away from New Zealand because you only play as well as the opposition allows you to and they showed a lot of character and determination," Woolmer said in Christchurch yesterday. "But I think we had an off day, to be honest."

Woolmer believed several factors contributed to that, including some complacent batting which followed the 6-1 one-day home series hiding it gave the West Indies.

"The West Indies did not play with the same sort of intensity as New Zealand and we were able to milk their spin bowlers for runs.

"Probably a little bit of jet lag was involved there as well."

Woolmer said that while he felt his bowlers responded magnificently to defend 211, which he said was 30-40 runs light on the Carisbrook wicket, the fielding was operating at about 75 per cent efficiency.

"We aren't overly disappointed by the result, it's only one game out of six."

Woolmer said he noted South Africa's seven win-six loss record against New Zealand and that the Proteas had yet to win in three one-day matches in this country.

"We want to look at addressing that."

Both teams had low-key days yesterday with optional training sessions before official practice today at Lancaster Park South with New Zealand (morning) and South Africa (afternoon).

New Zealand decided yesterday it would not replace the injured Chris Cairns.

The 12 players already assembled include Matthew Bell, who was a late replacement for the injured Roger Twose. Twose has recovered from a back strain and is available for selection.

Cairns will have to put his feet up for the next fortnight after tearing a calf muscle while batting in Dunedin.

"It felt like I'd been shot in the back of the leg. You read about these things happening but I didn't know what was going on initially," Cairns said yesterday.

Cairns hobbled down the pitch after suffering the injury and was run out. "It was certainly better I'd got out than Nathan (Astle) being run out. I wouldn't have been much use."

Cairns understands the tear is quite bad but will know more this week as it settles down and he begins treatment.

The selectors, Ross Dykes (convener), Rick Pickard and Steve Rixon, face a problem in settling their playing XI in Cairns's absence.

The all-rounder filled key batting and bowling roles in the side and, in the absence of a similar replacement, it will be interesting to see which way the selectors lean.

Simon Doull provides extra bowling options but maintaining a deep batting line-up and perhaps playing both Twose and Bell is also a possibility.

Meanwhile, New Zealand opening batsman Astle is nursing a stiff neck.

Astle's helmet grill was hit by a delivery from fast-medium bowler Jacques Kallis during his man-of-the-match innings of 95 in Dunedin.

"It stiffened up straight away and it's still a bit sore," said Astle yesterday.

He said the blow gave him a wake-up call and "probably made me knuckle down ".

Source :: The Christchurch Press (https://www.press.co.nz/)