The Hindu : Sport / Cricket : A professional display

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Friday, Nov 18, 2005

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Sport - Cricket

A professional display

S. Dinakar

Jacques Kallis... technically and temperamentally strong. — Photo: Rajeev Bhatt

Hyderabad: The South Africans displayed opportunism and resilience to move ahead in the one-day series here on Wednesday. When the side won a vital toss, the pacemen hunted the Indian batsmen like a pack of wolves. And when the host clawed its way back into the contest, Jacques Kallis and Justin Kemp shut the door on the Men in Blue.

This was good, professional cricket. While one team did not let the moments fly away, the other failed to conquer the conditions. More importantly, the South African victory was achieved without the influential batsman Herschelle Gibbs and left-arm spinner Nicky Boje.

Both face a match-fixing probe in India.

Graeme Smith's side is still evolving, but is full of promise.

It is high on confidence and has players for crunch situations. The team has now extended its unbeaten streak to 20 ODIs.

Little wonder, Smith sported a broad smile as the dust settled on the first game of the Pepsi Cup series. He had himself perished to a horrendous stroke after toying with the Indian attack, but saw his side close out the match with relative ease.

Gaping hole

Gibbs' absence has left the side with a gaping hole in the middle-order. The former dasher at the top of the order is relishing a different role.

He has bailed the side out of adversity, has been a finisher when the occasion demanded and is among the better players of spin in the side. His brilliance on the field is unquestioned.

Boje would have added to the South African attack on the Indian surfaces. He is a steady, experienced spinner who can restrict the batsmen after the pacemen strike early.

If the pitch provides assistance, his accuracy fetches wickets. Boje also brings depth to the batting.

With Gibbs not around, there definitely is additional responsibility on Kallis in the middle-order. But he proved an insurmountable barrier for the Indians in the first match of the series.

Technically refined and temperamentally formidable, Kallis could continue to torment the Indian bowlers in the remaining games.

It's not just the non-availability of Gibbs that has weakened the side. Boeta Dippennar and Jacques Rudolph also do not figure in the line-up. Considered among the more promising batsmen from a younger generation, both have some experience in Indian conditions.

Busy player

Tough situations throw up tougher characters and Ashwell Prince batted briskly without taking risks. With Gibbs away, his job has added importance.

The young Johan Botha was another positive for South Africa from the Hyderabad game.

The off-spinner bowled a tight line and spun the ball on occasions. He did not wilt under the pressure of a big game. But then, Botha was brought into the attack when the Indian batting was already bleeding. Sterner tests await him. If Botha continues to impress, he will solve at least one half of the problem caused by Boje's non-availability.

Crucially, the South Africans have come together as a team. The side is vibrant and a winning one too.

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