Contrasting styles, but effective to the core

By G. Viswanath

SHARJAH, MARCH 29. The tri-series here has brought into focus the contrasting styles of cricket played by the two finalists, Pakistan and South Africa. The South Africans have always prided on their system based on theory, basics and fundamentals. Their young cricketers have also had the advantage of training at cricket academies.

The regimentation programme has largely helped a modern South African cricketer come to be recognised as player of international class, though their former coach for five years, Bob Woolmer, felt the Australians were far ahead in cricketing world in coaching aspect because the Australian Cricket Board (ACB) had sufficient money to be pumped into coaching programmes. In spite of this shortcoming, the South Africans have turned out to be tough and compete as equals against top notch teams like Australia.

On the other hand, there is Pakistan, which even today does not have a proper first class system. There has been reports of Pakistan's new administrators being keen to establish a regional first class tournament. Former cricketer like Rameez Raja (national selector) and Javed Miandad (coach of the Pakistan team) now play a role in the decision making process related to cricket. It will be good for Pakistan's cricket should a structure be put in place because as Wasim Akram said (while in Australia), ``They have talent aplenty''.

Only two months ago Abdur Razzaq made a big splash in Australia winning the `Player of the tournament' award in the Carlton & United tri-series. And now, two batsmen - Younis Khan and Imran Nazir - have made a fine first impression in their nascent stage of international career. Younis made a century against Sri Lanka and 18-year-old Imran has made people take notice of his talent.

Another young player in the side is offspinner Shoaib Malik who has been making on and off appearance for Pakistan. He is competing with two more off spinner, Saqlain Mushtaq and Arshad Khan. Pakistan has more faith in Arshad because he is skilful and experienced.

A lucky break

Imran Nazir was in Pakistan's under-19 team for the junior World Cup in Sri Lanka. Nazir would not have been picked had Saeed Anwar been fit. But the young opening batsman has not only proved to be competent but is also unafraid to play shots. He made a near half century against the Indians and a 71 against the South Africans and a feature of these two knocks was his ability to drive the fast bowlers and lift them over mid on and mid off.

It was in the second innings of the first Test that Younis Khan made a century against the Sri Lankans. His effort came against a bowling attack that had Chaminda Vaas and Muttiah Muralitharan. It cannot be said with certainty if Nazir and Younis Khan will go from here to establish permanency. Their true test will come against the West Indies bowlers. Pakistan will look upon these two batsmen to play the supporting roles to the experienced batsmen like Inzamam-ul Haq and Yousuf Youhana. For both Nazir and Younis Khan the Coca Cola Cup final against the South Africans will be the first big event.

Gibbs is the batsman who has grabbed the opportunities that came his way after Andrew Hudson faded from the scene. The right hander from Western Province has had the benefit of the best coaching even in the day of apartheid. There was a tremendous pressure on him to prove wrong some people who felt that he had been picked to appease certain sections in the South African community.

His captain Hansie Cronje has backed him right through his formative years. Unlike Hudson, Gibbs built himself on a different mould. He likes to play shots and dominate bowlers. This resulted in some failures. Gibbs began to mature as a solid and sound opening batsman spending two years with Desmond Haynes who was his provincial coach. There is nice blend of defence and show of aggression in his play now.

The South Africans never doubted his talent. His success in the home series against the West Indies convinced one and all that he has come to stay with South African cricket. In the longer run, Gibbs might end up making more runs in one-day Internationals than in Tests. He has been in great form in recent times. He and Gary Kirsten made 235 at Kochi, which was only 17 runs short of Sachin Tendulkar and Sourav Ganguly's World record opening stand for the first wicket in one-day Internationals. And here at Sharjah, he made a cracking unbeaten 87 in the opening match and carried his bat making 59 runs against Pakistan in the match on Tuesday. It is Gibbs who has brought about a whiff of fresh air to the South African batting along with Jacques Kallis. What has been striking in their batting is the flair and the pomp.

The Proteas have also seen two bowlers develop during the tour of India and Sharjah. Mornantau Hayward and Nicky Boje have done good for themselves and the team. The left hand spin of Boje worked well in the second Test at Bangalore. He went in as a nightwatchman and made a big contribution with the bat. As coach Graham Ford remarked once, ``The players always look toward the team's interest.'' Boje's matching-winning 35 against Pakistan in the first round league match showed that he has come a long way from being seen only as a specialist left hand spinner.

Hayward who made his Test debut against England is a developing fast bowler. The South African selectors picked him because they wanted him to gain experience bowling on featherbed Indian pitches. When the time is ripe, Hayward will take over from Allan Donald. He did not play the first match against the Indians, but in the next three, he did well, and even took a spectacular catch of his own bowling yesterday.

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