Four openers shape in early SA World Cup plans

Initially discarded for the tournament in Bangladesh last October/November Rindel's ODI career was given an extension when Gary Kirsten's injured hand was still causing trouble and he earned a recall. Naturally there have been a few raised eyebrows at how a 35-year-old has managed to retain his place in a squad which is as large as 17 and has only Pat Symcox in the age group-order ahead of him.

In fact the first matches of the Standard Bank series could be used to sort out the top six batting positions with its many interesting juxtapositions at the top with the selectors naming four potential opening batsmen: Rindel and Kirsten, Herschelle Gibbs and Daryll Cullinan.

Today's popular argument suggests that Kirsten needs to get used to Daryll Cullinan as his opening partner in the first couple of one-dayers although the way the side was drafted by the selectors, when Peter Pollock announced it on Monday, is based on what took place at the Commonwealth Games and during the Dhaka tournament.

Current thinking, however, is a more persuasive argument and the plan is to look at combinations: Kirsten and Cullinan or Gibbs and Rindel; Kirsten and Rindel and Gibbs and Cullinan or Gibbs and Kirsten. Gibbs is a natural limited-overs opener; he attacks well and has shown an ability to handle the quick stuff. Yet in Bangladesh he was used down the order.

It was said that Cullinan had an anxiety attack when it was first suggested that like Rindel his style as an opener was suited to the slap and bash of the slogs. It gave him plenty of room for manoeuvre and like Rindel rotate the strike. There is no place for selfish batting in one-day matches. You get 50 overs to make the runs and messing about on some ego trip is not going to help win matches.

If Rindel has a mission this series it is to re-establish his credentials as a limited-overs player and his form has been far better than some of those selected. He certainly enjoyed himself at the non-compulsory net for the South African team at the Wanderers yesterday (the Windies took the day off) and the change of tempo was noted. The balls flew around off the bat and travelled a little further than normal.

Which is not too surprising as they were using the white ``Dukes'' English ball instead of the Kookaburra which has been the case in past day/night series in this country. As the English ball is being used in the World Cup the South Africans, like the other countries involved, need to get used to a ball which swings a lot more than the Australian made ball It was noticeable yesterday how Rindel now hits the ball much straighter than has been the case which is always a good sign of a form player. No doubt the selectors are going to monitor his progress when he is given a chance.

Yet, if past experience is anything to go by, Pollock's selection panel rarely make too many changes to teams which turn out in the previous limited-over series. Just who is likely to included in the side for tomorrow's opening match of the series at the Wanderers is another matter, or to recycle one of coach Bob Woolmer's old quotes:''Yesterday is history tomorrow's a mystery.''

The South Africans are to have a compulsory middle-net at the Wanderers Club today next to the UCB office, while the West Indians are training at the stadium nets. Although Curtly Ambrose has been cleared to play, the West Indies management are still undecided who will share the opening attack.