Cricket: Talented visitors force to be reckoned with

By Jeff Crowe

South Africa will arrive in New Zealand as the No 2 cricket side in the world.

Had they not thrown away the chance of a series win in England last year, they might well have the equal No 1 ranking. And you could sense the anger in their captain Hansie Cronje at that wasted opportunity. South Africa certainly made the West Indies pay.

Away test series victories are rare in world cricket and New Zealand have been boosted by the win over India.

So, come on South Africa.

The visitors are as good a team as you'll get because they have strength in all departments. Their attitude is superb, and typical of the tough approach of a country which prides itself on sporting excellence.

I thought at one time that they were vulnerable in the middle and lower order batting, but with Jonty Rhodes a key they have proven themselves in that area.

Rhodes' form has been excellent, especially when he has combatted the second new ball and made match-winning scores. Their batting is solid and capable of dominating even the best attacks.

New Zealand need to be disciplined against the best new-ball attack, and solid defence in the top order will be critical. They will need to concentrate on the basics of top-order batting, most importantly picking the line and knowing which deliveries to leave.

Allan Donald and Shaun Pollock provide a stiff test in the game today.

And with so much ability spread throughout the South African new-ball attack, there will also be a lot of pressure on the middle order, Cairns, Parore and Nash, to deal with a second onslaught. This will be a far different proposition from an Indian side with just one decent new-ball bowler.

I hope the selectors don't throw young opener Matthew Bell into this situation.

There are some important precedents to look at here, most notably the trouble an inexperienced Ken Rutherford had dealing with the West Indies in 1985. Our toughest campaigners need to open, and they'll need to be hard as nails. It would be wrong to expose Bell against Donald and company, and possibly saddle him with a poor average at the start of his career. Bryan Young has shown he can nut it out and spend time in the middle, not to mention his very safe hands at second slip.

A good aspect this summer is that all of our first team contenders will be playing somewhere and the form players of the moment must have the advantage.
South Africa have the fire power and the extras in their attack to bowl New Zealand out twice.

The Kiwi bowlers will have to match that with patience, eliminate those loose deliveries, use intelligent bowler rotation and catch at around 90 per cent.
Taking those catching opportunities and Stephen Fleming's flair at the helm may be the most important aspect in allowing the Black Caps to try to dictate terms during the series.

Importantly, if Fleming is injured, Dion Nash has shown we have depth in the captaincy ranks.

South Africa have made such rapid strides because of consistent team selection, whether it be tests or one-dayers. They make the odd bowling change but have players who win in both disciplines. New Zealand is showing some encouraging signs there.

South Africa's English coach Bob Woolmer is known for his close study of videos and that modern approach has been instrumental in their planning and execution.

And captain Cronje is an inspiration, as solid as you get and always capable of performing at the vital times. He leads a team with a high work ethic.

And their fielding is out of this world. Just watch their No 1 man Rhodes at square leg and point, probably the hardest areas on the field to excel in.

I expect the one-dayers to be of a high standard, provided the wickets are good.

Injuries and fatigue might take some of the sting out of the South Africans. But they will start as strong favourites. Maybe that will bring the best fighting qualities out of this much-improved and maturing New Zealand side.