Testing time for revamped SA in triangular series

Durban - As South Africa's selectors ponder the make up of their two sides for the tour of India now just a couple of weeks away, the new-look limited-overs squad has an opportunity to impress Messrs Rushdi Magiet and Co. in the remaining three league games of the current triangular series. The first is at Kingsmead in Durban today where Louis Koen, always high on the list of possibilities without quite kicking down the selectors' door to grab attention takes over from Gary Kirsten and shares the role of opener with Herschelle Gibbs.

On Saturday Magiet unveils the Test and one-day sides in Port Elizabeth for the India campaign: tour one is a matter of a three-day practice outing and then back to back Tests followed by a series of slogs from one end of India to the other.

While the selection for the Test portion of the tour is likely to be fairly predictable, with Allan Donald back in the hunt and the 10 wickets needed the break 300 is a few hostile overs away, the bowlers who will travel with him is another matter.

There are questions about the fitness of Paul Adams and whether the broken joint of the middle finger to his left hand has healed. If not, who are likely to go as spinners or the Hugh Tayfield-Alan Kourie type who were reliant on flight, line and length, as opposed to genuine turn, to earn their wickets. Queries about Kirsten's own mental approach to the game after he requested the selectors to allow him to stand and a possible replacement in perhaps Boeta Dippenaar, or Mark Bruyns, are other factors which need consideration. Or is it a matter that the selectors have not planned much beyond India? Fobbing off talented players with A Team caps and then losing them in the system seems to be an all too easy way out of the selection cauldron as it bubbles and no one queries policy.

Perhaps we may yet see the first genuine change in direction over the next three matches where selection policy is heading. Does Henry Williams get another chance? Is Neil McKenzie the answer to Daryll Cullinan at four? Many believe he is. Where does Dale Benkenstein batting out of position fit into the equation? Have the selectors really thought through a clear policy? Today's game at Kingsmead against Zimbabwe, the two South Africa play against their neighbours on this particular section of the triangular series road show, is a test case for the selectors with three new players in the revamped squad. It is easy to argue against a man nearing the age of 35, such as Steve Elworthy. If there was anyone better why not bring him into the team. At least Elworthy has a proven track record and can swing the ball, which is as important as bowling with pace. He can also dig in and hold up an end, as he did at Northampton against Zimbabwe, with Lance Klusener getting runs. South Africa have so far ignored the pinch-hitter type batsmen this series and perhaps it is time to act a little bolder and become more innovative against a team such as Zimbabwe, yet without losing sight of the main goal, winning the game.

There has been a long argument for Jacques Kallis to open with Gibbs, allowing the experiment of a pinch-hitter at three. It could be ideal for Koen to step into such a role, or Mark Boucher for that matter. Zimbabwe are an unpredictable side and last Sunday's performance against England was about as bad as it could get after their high at Newlands. They make up an interesting, complex team and Chelmsford was one of those days when South Africa took their eye off the competition and lost. It is not going to happen again.

Coach Graham Ford's comments "we need to be a lot sharper" is the sort of message which is going to be translated into something more positive. A heavy defeat and a narrow victory were just a little too uncomfortable for Hansie Cronje and South Africa to stomach.

South Africa (from): Herschelle Gibbs, Jacques Kallis, Louis Koen, Neil McKenzie Hansie Cronje (capt), Jonty Rhodes, Lance Klusener, Mark Boucher, Shaun Pollock, Steve Elworthy, Mornantau Hayward, Pieter Strydom, Henry Williams, Nicky Boje.

Zimbabwe (from): Grant Flower, Neil Johnson, Alistair Campbell, Murray Goodwin, Andy Flower (capt), Stuart Carlisle, Guy Whittall, Heath Streak, John Rennie, Andy Whittall, Henry Olonga, Craig Wishart.

Umpires: Dave Orchard and Wilf Diedricks; TV: Barry Lambson.

Hours of play: 2.30-6.00pm; 6.45pm-10-15pm

TV: SABC and SuperSport 2