South Africa: Davis recalled for Kimberley game
By Trevor Chesterfield
4 January 1999
CAPE TOWN - At least 1999 starts a little happier for Mark Davis than
1998 end with his recall to the Northerns side to play Griqualand West
in an early New Year return to the A Section which, we are led to
believe, more to help the national selectors than the sides hoping to
boost their log points position.
Unfortunately for Davis it does not mean he is to resume the captaincy
of the side for the SuperSport Series game in baking Kimberly where
the game starts on Friday and where the temperature is hardly
comfortable this time of year; which means it could be a hot day in
the kitchen.
But the news is not good for Rudolf Steyn who has an torn hamstring
and a finger in plaster: an unpleasant reminder of the Titans defeat
by Border in the Standard Bank game in East London two weeks ago. It
will, the coach, Peter Kirsten, confirmed yesterday mean a revamp of
the top-order.
It did not take Kirsten long to move in the direction of most coaches
these days with four-day and limited overs sides. He has decided to
retain Gerald Dros as the four-day side captain. Along with Steyn, out
for injury Roy Pienaar also takes an extra break in January until the
limited-overs slogs resume at the end of the month.
While Kepler Wessels, the Griquas skipper, when taking a break from
his TV commentary duties suggested it would be wise for Northerns to
go in with a minimum of three spinners, Kirsten felt Deon Jordaan is
likely to resume his place in the side, giving the coach an extra
option for the spin department while relying on two off-spinners in
Davis and Dirkie de Vos with Quentin Still providing left-arm variety
as well as top-order depth.
Northerns are perched 11 points above Griquas on the log, but Wessels
says, with a grin, that he has plans to change that scenario. At this
stage Northerns have 43 points from five games to Griquas tally of 32
from four.
As it is Northerns, now fourth on the log, would do well to remember
their last four-day visit to Kimberley when Pieter Barnard too a
double century off his erstwhile teammates. It was a humbling
experience and not one Kirsten or Dros would like to see repeated.
Possible side: Quentin Still, Deon Jordaan, Mike Rindel, Martin
van Jaarsveld, Gerald Dros (capt), Dirkie de Vos, Mark Davis, Steve
Elworthy, Grant Morgan, Greg Smith, Rudi Bryson, Quentin Ferreira.
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