MEDIA RELEASE

Johannesburg - United Cricket Board of South Africa

England are our oldest cricketing rivals, the first Test between our two countries having been played in Port Elizabeth in 1889.

One hundred and ten years later we welcome the England team to the new united, non-racial and democratic South Africa.

It is a significant tour for both countries. For the England team, they will wish to re-establish themselves as a leading force in world cricket. If I put on my ICC hat, there is no doubt that world cricket will be a lot better off if they are able to achieve this.

For the South African team, they will wish to entrench further their high rating in world cricket.

We therefore anticipate a very tough, competitive Test Series.

As both teams strive to reach these objectives, we hope that we will have a glorious cricketing summer and that the type of cricket played by both teams will:

1) Cement further the Test match culture which is now emerging in South Africa, and

2) Facilitate more and more supporters and fans from the disadvantaged areas of South Africa joining our growing cricket market within South Africa.

The last time the two teams met in South Africa, the 1995/96 summer, not withstanding the fact that 8 days were affected by inclement weather, 250,000 spectators watched the 5 match test series. We anticipate that this test series, with good weather, will bring at least 300,000 spectators and with a guaranteed 150,000 spectators for the one day series, we are sure that we are going to have a series that will be supported by all the people of this country.

We are very proud and privileged to be hosting England in our country. They will be here for the next three months and hopefully when they leave we will be able to say that this was the greatest summer of cricket between our two countries.

DR ALI BACHER 27 October 1999

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