Cricket: Big-hitting Kallis adds punch to South Africa's firepower

By RICHARD BOOCK in Brisbane

Star South African all-rounder Jacques Kallis has been cleared to play New Zealand in the tri-series match at the Gabba tonight.

Kallis missed Tuesday's match against New Zealand at Hobart with a bruised foot, but has since recovered and is expected to bat in his usual place at No 3, giving South Africa's batting order an even more formidable appearance.

Bristling with guns at the top of the order, the South Africans boast far more flexibility than their Australian counterparts and will again have a powerful lineup against New Zealand, a point highlighted by the selection of Mark Boucher at No 6, captain Shaun Pollock at 8 and all-rounder Justin Kemp at 9.

The bad news yesterday for South Africa was that fast bowler Allan Donald is unlikely to play, having not properly recovered from a fierce blow on his right hand while trying to field off his own bowling at Hobart.

Pollock said yesterday that Donald could still surprise everyone this morning, but he did not expect to have the veteran available for the match, and possibly not for tomorrow's at the same venue against Australia.

"There has been a slight fracture detected in his finger so he won't be involved and we're unsure when he will be ready again."

Pollock said he watched New Zealand's win over Australia at Sydney with great interest on Thursday evening and would be wary of their threat tonight, despite South Africa's having won the past 10 meetings between the sides.

"New Zealand are playing well and they seem to be building on the confidence gained from that first win in Melbourne," he said.

"Confidence is a key component in any sport or any sportsperson, and at the moment New Zealand look like they have plenty of self-belief which, of course, makes them a very dangerous proposition.

"But I don't think we are their bogey team or anything like that. We might have won 10 on the trot, but there are times when some sides just play better against another particular opponent.

"You can also look at it from the point of view that New Zealand are long overdue for a win against us."

Following the disappointing test series, Pollock said the side were enjoying some happier times in the tri-series and were keen to concentrate on the tournament at hand rather than look towards next year's World Cup.

"All teams are keeping an eye on their development towards the World Cup, but I think you can sometimes get too caught up in the future and take your eye off the ball, which is naturally something we'd prefer to avoid.

"So our motto is, look after this match, look after this series, and the future will look after itself."