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West Indies v Kwazulu-Natal XI Preview
By Ken Borland
15 December 1998
The West Indian tourists begin a crucial fortnight in KwaZulu-Natal
today when they take on a Natal XI in a limited-overs game at the
Chatsworth Oval. With the decisive third Test starting at Kingsmead in
10 days time, Brian Lara's team are desperate to lift themselves up
from defeats in the first two Tests against South Africa, and they
have an excellent chance of recording their first victory on their
troubled tour as the home side includes several youngsters chosen more
for their very bright futures than current ability.
The Chatsworth Oval has been chosen as the venue as it falls within a
formerly disadvantaged area, and much interest will focus on how the
Natal players of colour perform.
Foremost amongst these will be seamer Desigan Reddy, who is from
Chatsworth. The Natal B and 1995/96 Natal Schools cap said he was
feeling the weight of local expectation ahead of the biggest game of
his life. ``I am under a lot of pressure to perform, but for me the
main thing is to go out there and enjoy myself because it's a
wonderful opportunity.''
The spotlight will also fall on Pietermaritzburg's Mehmood Badat, who
burst on to the scene in 1992 and looked to be the man to inspire
Natal's young cricketers of colour, but instead nearly disappeared
from the scene as he never quite fulfilled his promise. But the
Zingari batsman looks to have regained his best form and he will be
out to push for higher honours. He showed his ability in a similar
Natal team last season when a played a cameo innings against West
Indies A and he will want to lift himself again today having not
really set the world alight in the Natal B team in recent years.
Natal's leading black cricketer, Bongani Zibane, gets his chance today
as well, after several stints as 12th man for Natal teams, while
Ashraf Mall, who has cemented his position in the Natal B side with a
series of excellent contributions, has a wonderful chance to impress
against top-class bowling.
The regulars appearing for Natal today are captain Jonty Rhodes,
Andrew Hudson, Lance Klusener, Keith Forde, Gary Gilder and Robbie
MacQueen, while Maritzburg's Craig Tatton, discarded by the senior
side's brains trust, has a chance to re-establish himself in the
provincial team.
Although most of the West Indian batsmen are in poor form, today's
game provides them with a perfect opportunity to get rid of their
blues. It will be interesting to see whether the tourists' management
opt for a limited-overs batting order, with a pinch-hitter up front,
or the line-up used for the first-class game.
Squads
Natal XI: Lance Klusener, Keith Forde, Ashraf Mall, Andrew
Hudson, Jonty Rhodes, Mehmood Badat, Bongani Zibane, Robbie MacQueen,
Gary Gilder, Desigan Reddy, Craig Tatton, Pranesh Naidoo.
West Indies: Clayton Lambert, Stuart Williams, Brian Lara, Carl
Hooper, Floyd Reifer, Darren Ganga, Junior Murray, Nixon McLean,
Franklyn Rose, Mervyn Dillon, Rawl Lewis, Shivnarine Chanderpaul,
Ridley Jacobs, Courtney Walsh, Curtly Ambrose, Philo Wallace.
Play starts at 9.30 am, with live coverage on CSN.
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