Cricket: Trist reassesses initial opinion

By RICHARD BOOCK

David Trist has quickly reappraised his view of the resurgent South African cricketers.

New Zealand need to beat South Africa on Friday to boost their chances of qualifying for the final of the Singapore Challenge, and Trist had been hoping to catch a team still vulnerable from the Hansie Cronje corruption trials.

However, South Africa's efforts in sharing the Australian leg of their home and away competition to win the overall series 3-2, has left the New Zealand coach quietly impressed with the Proteas' player depth, not to mention their mental resilience.

Trist, who initially suggested South Africa might struggle for direction in the wake of the King inquiry, said the epic contest in Australia offered compelling evidence that they had regrouped surprisingly well, and would be a threat to any opponent in the game.

"That young South African side have battled through a difficult period and, through their efforts in Australia, have really thrown down the gauntlet to their rivals," he said. "They're going to be a huge threat because they've obviously got a lot to play for and they're coming off a very tough schedule."

He said New Zealand were also keen to score their first ODI win of the new international season, and were annoyed not to have got off the mark on Sunday against Pakistan, despite the unpredictable nature of the rain-affected match.

"One of the things we've talked about as a team is the need to convert 50-50 situations into a win," he said. "We batted pretty well for a while on Sunday and got into a 50-50 position, and then lost - which was disappointing.

"When everything's in the balance, that's when we want to be able to seize the initiative. It's the difference between a successful side and an average side."

South Africa will be weakened in Singapore by injuries to wicketkeeper Mark Boucher and Jonty Rhodes, but their Australia tour uncovered young batsman Boeta Dippenaar, while Roger Telemachus showed himself to be a useful fast-bowler, Andrew Hall reinforced his all-round reputation, and failed opener Neil McKenzie flourished in the middle order.

Replacement keeper Nic Pothas will make his full international debut against Pakistan this evening when the Proteas open their account in the Singapore Challenge, but only if he can shake off the effects of chronic jet-lag.

Pothas was called up to the full South African side after Boucher sliced his fingers while cutting biltong following the tied ODI with Australia on Friday.

South African skipper Shaun Pollock said he was confident Pothas would take the gloves tonight, and said his side were determined to build on their Australian success and give their fans something to feel happy about.

"The new boys have come off very well," Pollock said "They showed they had it in them to play top flight cricket.