South African batsmen go back to school
Centurion (South Africa) - With heavy criticism from their skipper Hansie Cronje very much in their thoughts after some slap dash performances South Africa's top batsmen are being sent back to school to learn to cope with the demands needed for the
Trevor Chesterfield
07-Oct-1999
Centurion (South Africa) - With heavy criticism from their
skipper Hansie Cronje very much in their thoughts after some slap
dash performances South Africa's top batsmen are being sent back
to school to learn to cope with the demands needed for the 10
tests in the summer ahead. And the venue of this particular
exercise is Bloemfontein where the first test of the season,
against Zimbabwe, is being played at the end of the month. Which
makes sense and among those likely to be invited is Daryll
Cullinan, turfed out by the selectors after a disappointing World
Cup.
Although this does not indicate Cullinan is likely to be included
in the South African side for the first test against Zimbabwe is
to be announced, most likely around October 22 or 23 during the
third round of SuperSport Series matches, it makes sense that he
be included in the squad.
The batting lessons in Bloemfontein are, it has been suggested,
be held on October18 and 19 which falls in between the second and
third round matches of the A Section. Others who face an
invitation are Gary Kirsten, Herschelle Gibbs, Jacques Kallis,
Cullinan, Cronje, Jonty Rhodes, Boeta Dippenaar, Dale
Benkenstein, Mark Boucher and possibly a couple of those who have
shown some form during the first two rounds.
There is also a chance that Martin van Jaarsveld, HD Ackerman or
even Gerry Liebenberg may get a look in as the selectors mull
over the A team possibilities for the Sri Lanka games in
November. At least the selectors will get an idea of hopefully
knowing what they are looking for when it comes to their batting
choices.
As for Gibbs, the new national coach, Graham Ford felt the young
man showed a lot of character and courage in helping South Africa
win the final of LG Cup against India in Nairobi on Sunday. "It
was the way he batted for the South African A side in Sri Lanka
last year. He went out to bat with a single purpose in mind and
that was to help us win," the coach added. "It said it for all
the players. They went into the game with the sort of
determination which said a lot for team spirit."
But the man Ford reserved special praise for is the captain,
Cronje. "A coach can do so much only the way Hansie approached
the tournament after that heavy defeat by India in out first game
was quite awesome," Ford said yesterday. "It is often not easy to
come back after such a heavy defeat and go on to win the final
the way we did, and this is where I think South Africa showed the
others why they are the side they are," he commented. "The guys
were focused and knew what they had to do to come back. They
showed the sort of fighting spirit which has turned them into the
side they are."