Date-stamped : 04 Feb97 - 10:16 29 January 1997 Zimbabwe`s test of character By Michael Owen-Smith Zimbabwe"s mental state will determine how tough a task South Africa have on their hands in the fourth match of the Standard Bank triangular series at Newlands today. Zimbabwe held strong positions in their first two matches against South Africa and India without managing to go the distance. And it may be hard for them to pick themselves up after two such disappointments. "They can take it either way," said South Afri- can captain Hansie Cronje yesterday. "They can either say they had an opportunity of winning both games, and lost them, or they can say these are two pretty good one-day teams and that they nearly beat both of them. "They can take a lot of confidence from that. I think they will be very keenly motivated to go out and try to win at the third attempt. "Zimbabwe have improved hugely since we played them just over a year ago. Fortunately we did not make the mistake of underestimating them. "When they beat England 3-0, we realised that we would be dealing with a team which had shown some im- provement. It"s turned out to be a magnificent improvement. "They are playing with confidence, their batsmen are hitting the ball freely up front where Grant Flower has run into tremendous form and they are willing to change the batting order which never allows the opposition to sit back and plot how they are going to bowl to them. "It"s an interesting challenge. They bowl a very disciplined line and length and there is no doubt that they are motivated to do well in this event." Both Cronje and coach Bob Woolmer are aware that South Africa has yet to peak. Cronje said that the main setback had been getting used to playing under lights again. "Our fielders had some trou- ble adapting in the first match and our batsmen had the same problem in the second game. "Hopefully, we have got it sorted out now. Dropping three or four catches in the first two matches is below par for us as far as I am concerned." The South African team will be finalised this morning but it seems likely that Jacques Kallis will replace the injured Craig Matthews. Matthews" injury, incidentally, is not nearly as seri- ous as initially feared and he could be back playing for WP within 10 days. Rudi Bryson is the other option but the emphasis on allrounders for this type of cricket suggests that Kallis will get the nod. The selectors may also decide to let Adam Bacher open the bat- ting. Neither Andrew Hudson nor Gary Kirsten has been at his best recently, and a day off for one of them might be a good idea. It is likely that Paul Adams will have to wait for the slower pitches at St George"s Park and Buffalo Park for his de- but. South Africa (from): Andrew Hudson, Gary Kirsten, Adam Bacher, Lance Klusener, Daryll Cullinan, Jonty Rhodes, Hansie Cronje (capt), Jacques Kallis, Shaun Pollock, Pat Symcox, Dave Richard- son, Rudi Bryson, Allan Donald, Paul Adams. Zimbabwe (from): Andy Waller, Grant Flower, Stuart Carlisle, Andy Flower, Paul Strang, Alistair Campbell (capt), Dave Houghton, Guy Whittall, Andy Whittall, Craig Evans, Heath Streak, Eddo Brandes, John Rennie. Source :: The Star Contributed by The Management (help@cricinfo.com)