Cronje debunks theory on peaking of team

By G. Viswanath

SHARJAH, APRIL 1. South Africa's captain Hansie Cronje said he was unaware that he was on the threshold of a 100th win as captain in one-day internationals.

``It was a journalist who told me. But it was not on my mind. I just wanted to play a good night's cricket and win the cup. Memory is too short. People don't remember what happened a week ago. We might have won the Test series in India, but lost the one-day series in India and the final here. Fans are `today people'. I am disappointed we did not win the one-day series,'' Cronje said at the press conference after going down to Pakistan by 16 runs in the Coca Cola final on Friday.

Pakistan's captain, Moin Khan, said Cronje's dismissal was the turning point. ``He was playing so well. After we got him I was sure we would win the match,'' said Moin Khan.

But Cronje made conflicting statements about his dismissal. When interviewed at the prize distribution function, Cronje said it was a `crime' to have played the shot. He pulled Pakistan's offspinner Arshad Khan straight to Younis Khan at deep square.

But at the press conference he mentioned his team's tactics. ``We knew that the target was gettable. Ours is not an one man team. We had decided that all of us would bat around Neil McKenzie. He (McKenzie) had clear instructions to bat till the 45th over. He was slow, but he was also involved in two big partnerships.

``We were coasting so nicely. I was hitting the ball very well and I fancied my chances against the off spinner (Arshad Khan). I had to keep the scoring rate up there. We should have capitalised on it. But I think losing three wickets for one run made all the difference. I don't believe in team's peaking in one-day internationals. I am tired of hearing this. It's all crap,'' said Cronje.

``We made a fantastic comeback after giving so many runs in the first 15 overs. Lance Klusener and Derek Crookes brought us back into the game. There was a nice cross breeze which made Crookes very effective. I did not bowl Nicky Boje because our seamers had done so well right through the tournament and with the change of ball after the 35th over there was no point in bringing a spinner when the ball was hard. It was a fantastic pitch for batting.''

Moin Khan revealed that Shoiab Akhtar decided to sit out. ``He bowled for a while and told us that his groin was still paining. It was his decision. But once again Waqar (Younis) bowled well. After a long time he has been bowling really well. He has taken 300 wickets and is second only to Wasim Akram. We played positive cricket. The openers gave us a very good start. The crowd backed us right through the tournament. Their support has always been there for us.''

Miandad made special mention of the efforts by Imran Nazir and Shahid Afridi. ``I think it was because of their batting we made a big total. Afridi is young and has a good future. We have to improve in certain areas, specially fielding. It's very important in limited over games. And Waqar (Younis) showed his class,'' said Miandad.

The following were the prize winners: Hansie Cronje and Imran Nazir (maximum fours in the final) $1,000; Cronje (most sixes by a batsman in the final) $1,000; Gary Kirsten (fastest 50 - 47 balls); Waqar Younis (best bowler) and Neil McKenzie (best fielder) $1,000 each; Inzamam-ul-Haq (highest scorer in the tournament) and Waqar Younis and Lance Klusener (highest wicket taker in the tournament) $500 each (wickets and runs of finals not considered); Waqar Younis (man of the match, final) $1,500; Waqar Younis (man of the series) $3,000 and Opel Corsa (value $10,000); South Africa (losing finalist) $30,000; Pakistan (winner) $50,000.

The Coca Cola cup was presented to Moin Khan by Mr. Alex von Behr, President, Coca Cola, India.

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