The Hindu : A stroll in the park for South Africa

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Thursday, Feb 13, 2003

Sport

Sport - World Cup

A stroll in the park for South Africa

By G. Viswanath

Potchefstroom Feb. 12. The short and sweet name for the town is `Potch', not as complicated as the real name with 13 alphabets. The cricket ground here is as pretty as they come and much similar to the several venues in Southern Africa and particularly so around easy-to-pronounce Johannesburg.

The Aussies regard `Potch' as their `home' ground and settled here for nine days, sharpening their skills and grinding away before daring Pakistan at The Wanderers. What makes this venue named North West Stadium very charming is its circular shape, ringed by hut-like corporate booths and a carpet like outfield.

The Australians swear that `Potch' has the best dressing rooms and practice facilities and will play their Cup matches against Holland and Namibia here.

It is a venue where South Africa has not lost even once, although only three one-day Internationals have been played in the last two years. South Africa kept its all-win record intact here. It trounced Kenya by ten wickets, in fine fashion, with Hershcelle Gibbs in blazing form carting the Kenyan bowlers all around the beautiful park. He even danced down the pitch and sent the ball high over the long-on fence for a 6.

Gary Kirsten was all resolve and gave Gibbs reliable company as South Africa romped home and pocketed four points. Rare occasions demanding the umpire's more-than-curious attention happened once when Collins Obuya hit Kirsten's pad and yelled an appeal.

It was a rare off day for one time `White Lightning' Allan Donald, although chief of selectors Omar Henry, coach Eric Simons and captain Shaun

Pollock might be forced to look at the multi-purpose cricketer in Andrew Hall or rookie fast bowler Monde Zondeki.

The selectors made a statement that they were unhappy with his none for 54 against the West Indies in the Cup opener, although Donald himself has informed readers and fans that he is raring to go for South Africa.

Donald cooled his heels on a hot and steaming day at Potch. His place was offered to Charl Langeveldt whose six victims in three one-day Internationals have all been Kenyan batsmen. In the third against Australia he went wicketless. The last time he was capped by South Africa was at Brisbane almost a year ago. Langeveldt was given five overs and he did not impress. He was as expensive as Jacques Kallis.

Gibbs gave an electrifying start as he did at the finish, a hook shot off Peter Ongondo taking his side across the finishing line. He was responsible for the early departure of Kennedy Obuya, hitting the stumps directly. Obuya was livid at Ravindu Shah who was the top scorer with 60 runs. After Obuya's dismissal South Africa was well on its way to notch its eighth win against Kenya.

Shaun Pollock and Makhaya Ntini doing their job efficiently and afterwards `Man of the Match' Lance Klusener proving that he is a man cut out to perform in World Cup matches.

Kenya's innings, after Steve Tikolo had won the toss, ended 45 minutes before lunch giving sufficient time for Gibbs and Kirsten to settle down and return after lunch to take care of the Kenyan bowlers.

Kirsten struck a purple patch hitting five boundaries; it probably denied Gibbs the opportunity to join the century makers in the competition.

The match ended well before time and a happy Pollock said: "It's nice to have a win under the belt.''

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