Johannesburg Hansie Cronje ducked the verbal bouncers from England's media last night when he suggested the Tests series against Nasser Hussain's tourists is going to be a lot tougher than last summer's 5-0 thrashing of the West Indies.

South Africa's captain, in the happy position to have possibly the world's number one and two fast bowlers in Shaun Pollock and Allan Donald, although it has been Donald who has played the dominant role, says there are still 22 days of the series left and it would be foolish to rule out England's chances.

"I'd very disappointed if people start to think that way now," he said. "The West Indies were a lot tougher than people gave them credit and with four Tests to go we have a lot of hard work ahead of us. "We have to give a lot of credit to Gibbs and Cullinan for the way they batted; the ball had become soft and they left very, very well and put the bad ball away," he commented when asked about South Africa scoring in excess of 400 in their first innings.

"We did not say it yesterday but today we have to admit that it (Cullinan's) hundred was one of the better ones we've seen at Test level and against an attack which is right up there.

"Gough, Mullally and Caddick bowled well and with a bit of luck could have got us out for a lot less than we scored," he agreed. He felt the declaration came at the right time as would mean the South African bowlers would be fresh and would get two good bowling spells either side of lunch at the England top-order, especially with the heavy atmosphere and humidity.

The decision to play Paul Adams ahead of the fourth extra seamer in David Terbrugge was a tough decision was made in order to give the bowling attack the extra variation.

"You are struggling to break a partnership and you need that extra variation to make the difference. You play on two hot days and come the fourth day and you are struggling to break a partnership . . . So we went for the safer option."

Not a bad explanation which some of the more voluble critics do not agree, but that is their choice and they are not the captain trying to win a Test on day five with the pitch turning and a wrist spinner doing a good job. The sun has not shone much this Test and there has been little opportunity for Adams to come out of the shadows of the pace machine, hence the "we're right and he's wrong" attitude.

Cronje admitted though that Donald's bowling in this Test had been "the biggest turn around in his career" when compared to where he was two weeks ago. But the skipper also agreed he had seen Donald perform better for Free State and South Africa.

"Everything has favoured us so far," he agreed. "We cannot forget that. It could have been so different had I not won the toss." Which is a fair enough comment considering how the conditions and lack have so far favoured South Africa in this Test, one they should win by an innings the third successive margin in as many games and what will be seven victories out of nine, with two drawn in New Zealand.

© 1999