In Centurion
If HD Ackerman has his way he will be in line for a recall to the South African senior ranks by the time the West Indians arrive for their first full tour in late October.
He also knows that he not the only former test batsman in the South African A side heading for Sri Lanka tomorrow who is seeking to attract the attention of Peter Pollock's national selection panel before the team returns mid-August.
Herschelle Gibbs, looking a little chubby after winter's break, plans to return as lean and hungry as he did after a highly successful South African A team tour of England two years ago. He scored 867 runs in 14 innings at an average of 66.69.
Also known as Scooter, Gibbs made his test debut four months later at Eden Gardens in Calcutta with Lance Klusener.
Like Ackerman, Gibbs' test career has not quite kicked into gear, although Ackerman hopes to put the theory that he is weak against spin behind him on this second tour of the pearl of the Indian Ocean.
Already he has been earmarked as a possible opener for the early matches at least, a role in which he is not too unfamiliar. His partner could be Mark Bruyns.
Yet, as Graham Ford, the team's coach pointed out yesterday, Ackerman is also likely to get his chance of batting down the order when the chance presents itself.
``We'll have a good look at our options and opening with HD is a strong possibility,'' Ford said during the training session at Centurion Park where the team is holding a three-day pre-tour camp.
Henry Williams, the Boland swing bowler, joins the team today after arriving back from a league commitment in England.
There is also an interesting selection twist during the tour with a UCB directive which will ensure that all players get a chance in the three ``Tests'' and three ODIs as well as the two warm up games.
Dr Ali Bacher, managing director of the United Cricket Board, said it was ``board policy that all players get a chance in the bigger games''.
A similar policy was in operation during the South African under-24 tour of Sri Lanka three years ago.
It means that the strongest side will not always play the bigger games and comes down to giving all players exposure at this level of competition.
Dr Bacher told Ford earlier in the week that the tour of Sri Lanka is ``not just about results''. He also felt the visit should ``unearth the sort of talent which can come through to soon play for South Africa''.
The first match starts on Friday at the Singhalese Sports Club against an as yet unnamed opposition while the first unofficail ``Test'' is up in the old island capital of Kandy.
The itinerary is:
July 17-19 Warm Up match, Singhalese Sports Club
July 22-25 First unnoficial ``test'', Asgiriya, Kandy
July 28-30 Warm Up match, Moratuwa
August 1-4: Second unofficial ``test'', Kurunegala
August 7-10: Third unofficial ``test'', Matara
August 13: First Limited-Overs ``international'', Galle
August 15: Second Limited-Overs International, Moratuwa
August 16: Third limited-overs International, SSC