The Hindu : Sport / Cricket : Plenty at stake for aspiring players

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Wednesday, Sep 12, 2007
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Sport - Cricket

Plenty at stake for aspiring players

Special Correspondent

NEW DELHI: When Boeta Dippenaar first came to India as part of the South African under-19 team in 1997, he was one among the youngsters working towards making it to the National side. Nearly a decade later, the dependable right-handed batsman is back as the skipper of the South Africa ‘A’ team that has a fine mix of discards and those aspiring to wear the National cap.

The South African team had a brief practice session at the Feroz Shah Kotla on Tuesday ahead of its two-Test and the three-match one-day series.

Learning process

“When India plays in South Africa, they struggle against the short-pitched stuff. We are here to learn how to play Indian spinners in Indian conditions” said Dippenaar on Tuesday and also added that the hot conditions could serve well for his team.

Last month, South Africa ‘A’ toured Zimbabwe and won both four-day Tests comfortably like India ‘A’ had done in July. Now the two teams are ready to cross swords here from September 13 to 16 and at Dharamshala from September 19 to 22. The one-day games are scheduled at Ahmedabad (Sept. 26), Baroda (Sept. 28) and Rajkot (Sept. 30).

Proven players

Apart from Dippenaar, this South African team has proven names like Hashim Amla, Ashwell Prince and Charl Langeveldt. In all, nine players have retained their places from the squad that toured Zimbabwe.

India ‘A’, led by Mohammad Kaif, too, had a session in the afternoon at the Kotla ground. Kaif, one among the four comeback men in the squad besides opener Aakash Chopra, Suresh Raina and Parthiv Patel, will be watched with added interest in the coming days.

Kaif remains hopeful

“God willing, I’ll be back in the National team,” said Kaif with his guarded optimism hard to miss. “I have a job on hand and I know these games are always counted. As captain, I don’t have to motivate the players in this team because everyone knows that the next level from here is the National squad.”

With the seven-match one-day series against Australia beginning in Bangalore from September 29 and five one-dayers and three Tests against Pakistan to follow, those aspiring to make the National squad will have plenty to play for in the coming days.

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