Cricket: 'Zulu' back on warpath

By RICHARD BOOCK

The reconstruction of Lance Klusener is poised to become one of the more interesting sidelights during South Africa's one-day series against New Zealand.

The man who seems to have a particular appetite for New Zealand bowling, and known around the world for his astonishing strike-power, seemed almost lost to international cricket last year after being controversially axed.

The 1999 World Cup's player of the tournament, Klusener was omitted from the tour to England last winter, and received a further setback shortly after when new captain Graeme Smith publicly accused him of being a disruptive influence.

The 32-year-old Klusener, who bowled with more intent than usual in Hamilton on Wednesday night, then took the unheard-of step of suing the United Cricket Board for breach of contract, reaching an out-of-court settlement and gaining a short-term contract from January to April.

Klusener, who has twice shattered New Zealand's winning hopes with boundaries off the last ball of games once at Napier in 1998-99 and once in Cape Town a year later, was recalled last month and played in all five ODIs against the West Indies.

For all that, there has been a strained public dialogue between he and his captain since the selectors' pardon last month, not entirely surprising given the strength of Smith's comments, and the public examination that followed.

Smith gave some idea about how he felt about the recall when he suggested last month that the pair was reconciling their differences, and that their relationship had vastly improved since the post World Cup spat.

"Lance and I have come a long way in the last two or three months," Smith said. "To say that everything is rosy is wrong, but we are talking and I really do think things are getting better."

Smith is adamant that Klusener must be able to shoulder a 10-over responsibility at the bowling crease when he plays.

He has also made it clear that the ball was in the all-rounder's court, and that his future was in his own hands.

"He's got an opportunity to fit into the structures and cultures that have developed. Eric (coach Eric Simons) has a saying that the bus is waiting, who wants to get on?

"He's now got that chance to get back on the bus."

It's been noticeable that the man they call 'Zulu' has a slightly different stance, but has been prepared to sacrifice some of his views for the chance to rekindle his international career.

Klusener was not required to play a huge part with the bat against the West Indies but still managed to average 52.00, and took seven wickets at 26.14.

But if his comments during the West Indies series are any guide, he retains fairly strong views about his bust-up with Smith.

Klusener told reporters that Smith had made an unfortunate comment that he believed should not have been aired outside of a team environment.

"But it happened and it made my life a little bit difficult."

"We're all grown ups and at the end of the day it's about what's good for cricket.

"It's about seeing where we both went wrong along the way and finding some common ground."

The big-hitting left hander said it would be interesting to see what New Zealand might try in terms of counter-strategies when he was batting, but added that the last-ball victories at Napier and Cape Town were useful memories.

"That game at Napier well, the memory is something you can fall back on, knowing that you've done it before.

"If you're ever in a similar situation, it's nice to have that in the back of your mind."