Hansie diplomatic missionary
Trevor Chesterfield
2 November 1998
CENTURION (South Africa) Hansie Cronje diplomatically side stepped the
thorny issue of South Africa players contracts with the United Cricket
Board yesterday when he said that negotiations were ``never a problem''.
Arriving back holding the gold plated ICC Cup won in Dhaka on Sunday
where South Africa beat the West Indies in the final of the mini World
Cup event, he said the ``talks don't usually last long and any problems
we have are quickly sorted out''.
But he admitted surprise about the West Indies pay dispute and had
only heard about it when he and the side had arrived back yesterday.
``You know, we actually had lunch with them on Monday, the day after
the final and there was absolutely no mention of any problems,'' he
said.
``Personally I think it will all be sorted out and the tour, I am
pretty sure, will go ahead on schedule.''
He said the South Africa side was confronted with a similar situation
at the start of their tour of Australia last season, but the dispute
between the Australian board and the players was amicably settled.
``Naturally we would prefer to play a full strength West Indian side,
but whatever happens we have got to remain focused on what we are
doing and not allow ourselves to be side tracked by what's happening
in their camp,'' he added.
Cronje was more than pleased at how the South Africans adjusted to the
conditions in Dhaka. Dale Benkenstein, Nicky Boje, Derek Crookes and
Mike Rindel, a late inclusion had ``all performed well and their
presence in the wings was good for the long-term.
He threw in a word of caution, however, when he said that ``one must
realise that there is a huge difference between one-day and test
games.''
Cronje was seemed cheered by the news that Shaun Pollock and Lance
Klusener who missed the Wills Cup should be fit for the first test at
the Wanderers.
``I really would like to start on November 26 with a full strength
side,'' he added.''
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