Triangular series in SA on?

2008-09-04 20:11

Cape Town - Pakistan cricket media reports say that a decision to tour South Africa has been delayed until September 13.

For several days now, there have been several Pakistan-based reports about a triangular series that will take place during September in South Africa.

Pakistan, Sri Lanka and South Africa have been named as the participants. Cricket South Africa (CSA) have remained tight-lipped on the issue but Proteas skipper Graeme Smith said that he had been told by Tony Irish, the CEO of the South African Cricketers' Association, that there had been requests for tours to this country.

"I have not had any confirmation or any one saying that it (the Pakistan tour) is not taking place," said Smith. "But having spoken to Tony (Irish) I know we have had a large amount of requests.

"Not only from Pakistan and India but also West Indies, Canada and New Zealand. Every one has tried to get the team (the Proteas) on a tour.

"I think the best thing in the interest of the team is to take a rest, get involved in domestic cricket and build up to what is going to be an intense season.

Need everybody fit

"If we are going to be successful we need everybody fit and every body playing well. The build-up process is going to be important for the tour to Australia (in December). A tournament now won't be in the best interests of the team ..I don't think."

The PCB's idea of a SA tour came about following the cancellation of the ICC Champions Trophy tournament.

Smith's argument that the team needs a rest is a valid one but the recent disastrous ODI series against England showed that certain players are in dire need of far greater exposure to international competition.

Players such as Vernon Philander, Justin Ontong, JP Duminy, Albie Morkel and Johan Botha certainly do not count among the "tired" members of the national squad and they would benefit greatly from competition ahead of the upcoming series against Kenya, Bangladesh and Australia.

The senior players, many of whom are under pressure to hold down their ODI team slots, may understandably not take too kindly to the proposed Pakistan tour and may well use their influence to shoot down any suggestion of additions to an already packed Proteas intinery.

Smith said the team's poor ODI showing in England enforced the need for a good look at the present ODI set-up in this country.

"It's up to the leadership, firstly, to identify a style of play for the ODI side like we did for the Test side," said Smith.

"We have to challenge ourselves and start working in the ODI set-up like we do in the Test set-up and build ourselves up to the strength that we've had over the last two years". He added.

- SAPA