Bacher still in doubt

By Trevor Chesterfield

30 June 1998


Manchester (England) - Old Trafford, well situated in the rain belt of England, has so far offered little comfort or hope to South Africa's opening batsman Adam Bacher as the third test of the series looms against England here tomorrow.

Although it brightened up yesterday and there were several hours without a shower, the skies have been dripping regularly. Those with a taste for the original British soapie Coronation Street, with it's drab, smoke-laden misty backdrop, should know that sunny skies are not the norm in this begraggled corner of a sodden country.

And, as with Lord's a couple of weeks ago, players have been getting in more exercises from dodging puddles than genuine net practices.

Bacher, and the team's management, remain hopeful he will be over the worst of the shoulder bruising which occurred on the final afternoon at Lord's when attempting to stop a four. It was a nasty jolt and an injury which team physio Craig Smith felt required plenty of rest.

While Gerry Liebenberg is on stand by for the crucial outing of this five-match series, Bacher has been involved in the sort of exercises which should see him pull through. The only real problem has been the, cool damp weather.

There has been so little sun those South Africans here for the first time talk about paddling back to the hotel instead of jogging.

Hansie Cronje was non-committal over the final make up of the side. Much depends on Bacher's final fitness test. As it is there are unlikely to be any chnage to the side which beat England so comprehensively by 10 wickets at Lord's nine days ago.

Lance Klusener's quick-fire century against Northamptonshire in the one-day slog on Sunday has shown that his batting form has an edge over that of Shaun Pollock.

As for England, a decision to opt for flair ahead of consistency could see them offer a more competitive challenge at Old Trafford. Ben Holloake, recalled as their main all-rounder, could earn only his second Test cap.

It was surprising that Mark Ealham played at Lord's. He's a very ordinary bowler and England seem to be bereft of the Klusener type of all-rounder. It has been suggested that Steve Elworthy would have earned a few test caps by now had he lived in this waterlogged country.

The attacking Nick Knight, England's A Team captain and who scored a big ton for Warwickshire at Edgbason on Monday against Lancashire, has been slotted in as Mike Atherton's opening partner after missing 14 tests.

Then there is Darren Gough, whose return means that three changes are likely to the XI beaten at Lord's. Gough will at least add the cutting, competitive edge missing from a very ordinary England attack at Lord's. No doubt the promise of a seamer's pitach has persuaded David Graveney and the other England selectors to retain Dean Headley in a party of 13.

As with Lord's the selectors are looking for at the possibility for including a second spinner in the un-capped Ashley Giles.

South Africa, you can bet, are unlikely to switch their successful four pace and swing bowlers and one wrist-spinner format for Old Trafford, even if conditions favour turn.

But the way Graveney, the chairman of selectors sees it Giles, Headley or Hollioake are going to be the omissions.


Source: By Trevor Chesterfield, Pretoria News

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Date-stamped : 30 Jun1998 - 20:30