Date-stamped : 23 Nov95 - 02:31 Electronic Telegraph Thursday 23 November 1995 England hoping to reap the fruits of match practice By Christopher Martin-Jenkins in Bloemfontein THE threat of thunderstorms persists but England are hoping that four days of urgently needed match practice against strong oppo- sition will begin in Bloemfontein this morning with the three-day fixture against the Orange Free State. Castle Cup champions for two years running until losing the title to Natal last year, the Free State remain one of the better domestic sides in South Africa, even without Allan Donald, as proved by their defeat of the New Zealanders last year. That fact and the look of a flat, yellow pitch suggest that three days may not be long enough for a result in the first-class match, but England`s priority is to give their 16 players at least one game before the return to Johannesburg for the second Test starting a week today. The weather has improved and between showers the sun was drying a moist square at Springbok Park yesterday. England had to make do with a fielding practice session and some indoor nets while net pitches recovered. Team selection was delicate but Ray Illingworth and Mike Atherton agreed that the bowlers who did not have a game in Kimberley be- fore the first Test should get a chance in the longer match, which will be followed by a one-day game on Sunday. Dominic Cork, Mark Ilott, Peter Martin and Richard Illingworth all play today, with Devon Malcolm given another chance to demand a Test place, leaving Angus Fraser, Mike Watkinson and Darren Gough to sit this game out, along with the two batsmen whose form was the most impressive in the ruined Test match, Graeme Hick and Jack Russell. Alec Stewart will keep wicket. On Sunday, Ilott, Malcolm, John Crawley and Robin Smith will be the four omitted, with Richard Illingworth the probable 12th man, depending on conditions. The decision to sharpen Donald by confining him to net practice is compounded by Franklyn Stephenson`s absence. He is resting in Barbados, which leaves Nico Pretorius, much improved since his season in the Sussex League two years ago, to lead the home at- tack under Hansie Cronje`s command. Source :: Electronic Telegraph Contributed by Shash (shs2@.cwru.edu)