Cronje's youngsters hopeful of victory (24 October 1998)
South African skipper Hansie Cronje has termed Australia and Sri Lanka as favourites for the Wills Cup, but said his side with many young players are confident of playing the final
24-Oct-1998
24 October 1998
Cronje's youngsters hopeful of victory
by Zahid Newaz in Dhaka
South African skipper Hansie Cronje has termed Australia and Sri Lanka
as favourites for the Wills Cup, but said his side with many young
players are confident of playing the final.
"Our side is a young one. We are here to learn and gather experience.
But we hope to play the final and win if things go well," he said
addressing a press conference at Hotel Sonargaon in Dhaka on Friday.
South African team reached the capital on Thursday night.
Cronje informed that several regular members of his team could not
come here either for injury or because they're resting. But he said:
I'm happy with the replacements. The boys are very, very fine,
enthusiastic and lot of them are highly skilled in one-day.
"Many of them are from the squad that clinched the Commonwealth Games
Gold. They're confident of doing better, and I hope their confidence
will come to this tournament," said the South African captain.
He informed that from among the Commonwealth Games winning team,
Andrew Hudson, Paul Adams and Gibbs are not here for the Wills Cup
that Cronje described as a "very tough" tournament.
Others who are not with the team are Alan Donald, Shaun Pollock, Lance
Klusener and Garry Kirsten. "Donald is having rest, Pollock recovering
from back injury, Klusener was operated in leg knee and Kirsten's
middle finger of left hand is broken," Cronje said.
When asked if South Africa will suffer due to the absence of Donald
and Pollock, he said: We believe we will be able to face the challenge
with Ntini, Dawson, Elworthy, Kallis and myself."
As they clash with England in the second quarter-final on October 25
(Sunday), Cronje described the match with 50:50 chances as both sides
have experienced and young players.
He categorically mentioned the names of Martin, Austin, Fleming,
McMillan, Hick, Brown and Knight who are successfully playing for
England.
When asked whether the Wills Cup is a pre-show for next 1999 World
Cup, the South African skipper replied in the negative. He said: It's
a do or die tough tournament. Any good team could be knocked out in
the very first match. The champions may not also carry the same
strength till next May-June.
About Bangladesh cricket, the veteran said there is a long to go for
achieving a good standard. "They (Bangladesh) have to play stronger
countries, need experience in highest level and do hard work." The
same things are also true for Zimbabwe and Kenya, Cronje said adding
he knows very well about cricket of the three countries.
The South African squad:
Hansie Cronje (capt), Dale Benkenstein, Nicky Boje, Mark Boucher,
Derek Crookes, Daryl Cullinan, Alan Dawson, Steve Elworthy, Jacques
Kallis, Makhaya Ntini, Jonty Rhodes, Mike Rindel, Pat Symcox.
Source :: CricInfo365