West Indies' Ambrose doubt (10 December 1998)

10 December 1998

West Indies' Ambrose doubt

By Geoffrey Dean in Port Elizabeth

A WELL-GRASSED pitch at St George's Park ought to make for an interesting first day when the second Test begins today.

West Indies, one down to South Africa, have a concern over the fitness of Curtly Ambrose, who is suffering from a troublesome elbow in his bowling arm.

Dennis Waight, the tourists' physio, revealed that Ambrose picked up the injury last week while being over-zealous with push-ups. "It's improving and I'm hopeful for him," Waight said, adding that Franklyn Rose would not be considered owing to ankle problems.

If Ambrose is ruled out or if Nixon McLean is left out, Mervyn Dillon will play. It seems unlikely that West Indies will play four fast bowlers, instead persisting with Rawl Lewis's leg spin.

South Africa will definitely include a spinner on a surface that could well turn later. David Terbrugge, who made an impressive debut in Johannesburg, came through a rigorous workout yesterday and is expected to play despite a mild side strain. Makhaya Ntini stands by.

After the rumpus caused by the non-selection of a non-White player for the first Test, Herschelle Gibbs, a Cape Coloured, is recalled after an absence of nearly a year. A natural stroke-player, he will bat out of position as an opener as South Africa continue their search for a reliable partner for Gary Kirsten.

Whoever wins the toss today could face a tricky decision. Eastern Province captain Dave Callaghan predicted there would be quite a lot of moisture in his home pitch, adding that batting conditions could also depend on which way the wind blew in this gusty port.

In the last Test here in March, Pakistan were bowled out for 106 and 134 to lose by 259 runs.

South Africa (from): Cronje (capt), Kirsten, Gibbs, Kallis, Cullinan, Rhodes, Pollock, Boucher, Symcox, Donald, Terbrugge, Adams, Ntini.

W Indies (from): Lara (capt), Lambert, Wallis, Chanderpaul, Hooper, Williams, Jacobs, Lewis, McLean, Ambrose, Walsh, Dillon.

Source :: Electronic Telegraph (https://www.telegraph.co.uk)