The Hindu : Shaun Pollock's men seem set to deliver

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Sunday, Feb 09, 2003

Sport

Sport - World Cup

Shaun Pollock's men seem set to deliver

By G. Viswanath

Jacques Kallis ... a pillar of strength for South Africa.

Cape Town Feb. 8. The time is upon 210 players of disparate skill and star status to gird their lions, get ready to cross swords and display their mettle, all with the ultimate aim of winning the Cup that matters on March 23.

The warm-up games spread over a week across the length and breadth of South Africa, some of them in many former disadvantaged areas, have already given glimpses of the stars in action.

This World Cup is not only about teams competing hard for the Cup and cash prize, but also about taking part in Development Clinics across the main host nation. It's a matter of extending a helping hand, although England may not be keen to do so by travelling to Zimbabwe.

These distractions notwithstanding, it is the hour of carnival in southern Africa.

For South Africa it is imperative that it puts its best forward and lifts the Cup the likes of Kepler Wessels (1992) and Hansie Cronje (1996 and 1999) might have felt they were brutally unlucky not to. In the past, it turned out to a be case of being so near yet so far.

Shaun Pollock's team has to perform and make amends for the sorry episodes at Sydney, Leeds and Edgbaston. The South African President, Thabo Mbeki, might actually sound the bugle of victory if the prayers of millions of South African supporters are answered.

Brian Lara .. . back in business for the Windies.

South Africa's return to the international fold was heralded a little over 10 years ago by a 23-year-old sprightly fellow called Jonty Rhodes who flashed across the sights of thousands of spectators at the Gabba, Brisbane and across the screens of millions of television viewers while diving headlong with the ball in his hands and breaking the stumps to run out Inzamam-ul-Haq. Neither Rhodes, nor South Africa, proved to be a flash in the pan. They took giant strides and leap frogged ahead of the rank and file and took position alongside a champion team like Australia.

Recently they upstaged Australia in the Test championship ratings. Steve Waugh, Ricky Ponting and others might challenge the system followed by the ICC. But the onus is now on Pollock's team to stake claim for the ownership rights of the ICC's one-day cricket rankings for a longer time by winning the ultimate prize in limited-over internationals.

Mr. Mbeki, his Sports Minister and prominent citizens roar out of newspaper headlines exhorting the team to do well. The pressure is clearly piling up every second on the home team.

Pollock's men will take the field on Saturday afternoon at the Newlands, referred to as `field of dreams'. There is a good reason for it. It has won nearly 80 per cent of the limited-over internationals (15 in all) it has played at the venue beneath the magnificent Table Mountain. The host nation has certain advantages and the Organising Committee cannot be faulted for scheduling South Africa's first match at a venue where it's less likely to face defeat.

For a variety of reasons South Africa has been clubbed along with Australia as favourites to win the World Cup. Chief of Selectors and the first coloured cricketer to represent South Africa, Omar Henry, appeared a proud man. "For the first time in the history of the World Cup the host nation has caught the fancy of the people. They expect South Africa to win. I will say today (Friday night) that the final will be played between South Africa and Australia and we will beat them,'' boasted Henry at a party thrown by LG Electronics at the Table Bay Hotel.

South Africa has a remarkable record at some of the venues. They know where the ball will seam and lift, where it will come up at predictable height and where it will aid turn. For obvious reasons, Newlands is its favourite. It has a good record at The Wanderers, Johannesburg and at Kingsmead, Durban.

A bowling line-up that rolls out names like Pollock, Alan Donald, the fast improving Makhaya Ntini, Jacques Kallis and the back up in Lance Klusener can destroy rivals at Kingsmead, notorious for seam and bounce and literally unplayable when the cloud cover is low.

The home team is in Group `B' which has New Zealand, Sri Lanka, West Indies, Bangladesh, Canada and Kenya. So the passage into the Super Six should be fairly smooth, with three minnows in its group.

The other day Dr. Ali Bacher said the West Indies was a rejuvenated side led by Carl Hooper. The team received the good news on Friday evening about allrounder Marlon Samuels being readmitted into the squad by the ICC's Technical Committee.

Hooper quietly deployed his forces and stole the thunder against India in the home series for the TVS Cup. How the West Indies valued that 4-3 win against India was reflected in coach Roger Harper's statement at the arrival lounge of the Johannesburg International Airport. "We beat India in India, and everybody knows what it requires to do that.''

The West Indies can be like sleeping giants, ready to strike at any time. The question is will Brian Lara take charge as he did against Australia in the Frank Worrell Trophy before the 1999 World Cup in England? Health problems that cropped up during the ICC Champions Trophy in Sri Lanka last October forced him to spend time at home rehabilitating. His presence in the middle order should make the West Indies a side not to be trifled with.

The West Indies start with Chris Gayle, who had a great outing in India, Wavell Hinds, Shivnaraine Chanderpaul, Ramnaresh Sarwan and Carl Hooper, besides Lara. With Samuels returning to the side, the West Indies might fancy its chances of winning the Cup for the third time. But Lara must take the initiative and play a major role if the former champions are to get their hands on the Cup again.

On Friday night Australia's captain Ricky Ponting said his team was a `good unit' and was capable of `defending the title'. No Australian team that starts with Matthew Hayden and ends with Glenn McGrath can be taken lightly. Australia begins its Cup campaign against the team it vanquished in the 1999 final at Lord's.

New Zealand has suddenly come into picture because of the quality of its efficient allrounders. Sir Richard Hadlee made an interesting comment during the India-New Zealand series. "We pick batsmen and bowling allrounders. A specialist must be very good in his trade. The one-day game is all about allrounders,'' the chairman of New Zealand selectors said.

Stephen Fleming made a bold statement that his team had the ability to win the Cup. "Yes,'' he said, when asked if he visualises his team lifting the Cup.

Before leaving Mumbai for South Africa India's coach John Wright said: "I think we will be a different team once we make the Super Six.''

Well, all the captains and coaches are optimistic of giving their best shot once the World Cup enters the Super Six stage, because after nearly a month of the preliminary stage, victories achieved would give them the confidence.

Hooper said scores achieved in India should not be given weight because things would be different in South Africa, known to be a little more bowler friendly. This might not be far from the truth, but because of the quality of the batsmen this World Cup has drawn, runs are more likely to flow.

One-day cricket is known for the unpredictable. People are looking at an Australia-South Africa final. Sourav Ganguly, Stephen Fleming, Waqar Younis, Sanath Jayasuriya and Carl Hooper, leading different sides are equal aspirants for the title.

The teams:

South Africa (from): Shaun Pollock (Capt.), Herschelle Gibbs, Gary Kirsten, Jacques Kallis, Boeta Dippenaar, Jonty Rhodes, Lance Klusener, Mark Boucher, Allan Donald, Makhaya Ntini, Andrew Hall, Nicky Boje, Robin Peterson, Charl Langeveldt and Monde Zondeki.

West Indies (from): Carl Hooper (Capt.), Chris Gayle, Wavell Hinds, Ramnaresh Sarwan, Shivnarine Chanderpaul, Brian Lara, Ridley Jacobs, Mervyn Dillon, Jermaine Lawson, Vasbert Drakes, Nixon McLean, Corey Collymore, Pedro Collins, Ricardo Powell and Marlon Samuels.

Umpires: Messrs. S. Venkatraghavan (India) and Daryl Harper (Australia); TV umpire: Peter Willey (England); Fourth: R. D'Mello.

Hours of play: 6 p.m. to 9-30 p.m.; 10.15 p.m onwards (IST).

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