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Numbers game for cool, calculating Cronje

By Peter Deeley

18 August 1998


SOUTH AFRICA face a mathematical challenge of mountainous proportions in the last preliminary match of the Emirates Triangular Tournament at Edgbaston today if they are to pip England and qualify for the Lord's final.

England have to win by any margin to ensure that they meet Sri Lanka in the decider on Thursday but Hansie Cronje spent the weekend with calculator in hand working out what South Africa need to overhaul the host country.

``I reckon we need to win by 80 runs or bowl England out with 12 overs to spare to have any chance,'' the South African captain said. ``After England's win on Sunday we are obviously in a far from ideal position and we will have our work cut out. But we can take inspiration from watching the Springboks' amazing win over New Zealand.''

At their team hotel at the weekend the players saw the live telecast of the rugby union game from Durban where South Africa beat New Zealand by one point after trailing 23-5 with a quarter of an hour remaining.

``If they can come back like that, it gives us hope at a difficult time,'' said Cronje.

He is refusing to allow the statistical needs of the match to dictate team strategy. ``If we win the toss, then the state of the pitch must dictate our policy, not the mathematics.''

Allan Donald is likely to be given the new ball this time along with Shaun Pollock after the plan of using him first change so badly misfired at Trent Bridge last week when Sri Lanka won by 57 runs.

It is possible that Brian McMillan will replace Steve Elworthy, whose opening five overs in the first game cost 43 runs and gave Sri Lanka a supercharged start.

Angus Fraser, whose appearance as 'drinks man' at Lord's brought the loudest cheers of the day from England supporters appreciative of his Test achievements, is likely to be back in the side.

After seeing him bowl in the nets, England coach David Lloyd feels Fraser is fully recovered from the strains picked up at Headingley but has not yet decided which of the trio of fast bowlers - Darren Gough, Alan Mullally (praised highly by Lloyd and captain Alec Stewart for his Lord's performance) or Peter Martin - would make way.

Matthew Fleming has been called into the party in place of Dean Headley but Lloyd was sufficiently impressed by Ian Austin's international debut to hint that he might keep his place. ``He did not look at all out of place at that level,'' said Lloyd.

Lloyd's one concern is the length of the England tail - the last seven wickets went down for 24 against Sri Lanka - and this might induce him to play Fleming.

``Confidence in the side is riding high,'' said Lloyd, and he went out of his way to praise Graeme Hick's 86 off 97 balls against Sri Lanka.

Lloyd and Stewart have set their faces against the public clamour for Hick to be discarded after his two poor innings in the final South Africa Test.

``Anyone who has scored a hundred centuries has to be someone of quality.'' said Stewart. ``You don't judge a man on one game.''


Source: The Electronic Telegraph
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Date-stamped : 18 Aug1998 - 10:26