Warne taunts Proteas

2005-12-23 11:46

Sydney - Shane Warne says South African captain Graeme Smith lacks imagination and remains adamant he will turn Justin Kemp into "the new Daryll Cullinan".

Warne told Sydney's Daily Telegraph that while South Africa must be respected for the discipline they showed in saving the first Test in Perth he still expects Kemp or Ashwell Prince to be his new South African bunny by the end of the series.

"I still think Kemp is the new Daryll (Cullinan)," Warne said on Thursday. Cullinan had a career average of 44 but just 12 against Australia.

"Just the way Kemp played ... he top edged one that landed safe early on, there was a couple of close lbws he played and missed once or twice an over," Warne said.

"He (Cullinan) could have a disguise on because I also think that from what I saw in Perth (Ashwell) Prince could also be a candidate to become a Darryl. It's either Prince or Kemp.

The spin legend said both are candidates but he is still leaning towards Kemp.

The Australian leg-spinner has taken a world record 651 career wickets and 87 in a calendar year.

Strength and weakness

Warne told the Telegraph the stoic way South Africa play their cricket is their strength and weakness.

"The one thing about South Africa over all the years we have been playing with them is they have a lot of discipline with their batting and bowling.

Warne mentioned that's one of South Africa's strengths. The weakness of the visitors is they don't have much "imagination or variety in their attack".

He said it has been pretty hard work for bowlers but there is not a lot of imagination with South Africa's captaincy.

"It's been a general trait of all South African captains over the years, especially Smith. That's the way they play. They are very disciplined. They set normal fields and once the ball gets older they have ring field up and just bowl line and length.

Kemp told Beeld his innings on Tuesday was a water-shed. "When I walked in to bat, I felt the pressure. However, I believed I could handle Shane Warne and show that I deserved a place as Test player.

"A lot of things were said to both Jacques (Rudolph) and me, but we shut out everything. Warnie tried to intimidate me all the time, but I decided that he won't succeed. You could see after a while that they were becoming a bit desperate."

- News24