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'It's a good problem to have'
27/11/2007 13:43 - (SA)
Port Elizabeth - The addition of pace bowler Dale Steyn to the squad for the MTN one-day international (ODI) series against New Zealand has given the selectors the kind of headache they enjoy - which one of a number of very effective bowlers to leave out.
The selectors have the luxury of having to choose among Steyn, Makhaya Ntini, Shaun Pollock, Andre Nel, Charl Langeveldt, Albie Morkel, Vernon Philander and Johan Botha when they select the team for the second ODI at St George's Park on Friday.
"It's a good problem to have," said captain Graeme Smith. "Several of them, like Albie, Vernon and Shaun, can bat as well, so we really are well off in the bowling department."
Jacques Kallis offers another option. Kallis did not bowl in the Twenty20 match last on Friday or in the first ODI in Durban on Sunday, but is expected to be fit to bowl again soon.
"He's carrying a bit of a rib injury he picked up in the second Test against New Zealand," explained Smith. "So I've been protecting him a bit but he'll probably be able to bowl on Friday."
Variation offered
The selectors stuck with the team that won the final ODI against Pakistan for the first against New Zealand, but may well ring the changes for the second match.
The Proteas could have done with the variation offered by Kallis or the out and out pace offered by Steyn on Sunday, as New Zealand got away from the South Africans in the final stages of their innings, with Mathew Sinclair and Kyle Mills putting on 25 runs in the last two overs.
Ntini looked somewhat tired and lacked his normal fire and fizz, and the selectors may decide to rest him for the second match. Steyn, who has yet to represent South Africa in an ODI, may get a run on Friday. Andre Nel, who took three wickets on Sunday, will also probably play on Friday.
After his heroics on Sunday, when he smashed two balls through extra cover for four to win the match, Nel is now apparently asking to be considered an all rounder.
"He always said he would win us a match with the bat one day," laughed Smith. "I was joking with him when Bouch (Mark Boucher) was batting with JP (Duminy) and I told him 'I hope we don't need you, but if you do go in...' We were reminiscing about that Test against New Zealand, (Nel hit a boundary and two sixes as he and Dale Steyn put on 51 for the ninth wicket) at Centurion and the two shots we spoke about he hit for four! Nella's going to be on quite a high about his batting."
The South Africans dispersed after Sunday's match, but will meet up again in Port Elizabeth on Wednesday to prepare for Friday's game. New Zealand will practice on Wednesday and Thursday morning and South Africa on Wednesday and Thursday afternoon.
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Rugby
