Archives

DURBAN, Wednesday (AFP) South Africa will be seeking to snatch the International Cricket Council Test championship when they take on a depleted Pakistan team in the first Test starting at Kingsmead Thursday.

If South Africa win the two-match series they will overtake Australia on the ICC log, despite having been heavily beaten in home and away series by the Australians last season. "It's testament to how well we've played around the world," said South African captain Shaun Pollock. We beat India in India and Australia couldn't. And we beat the West Indies in the West Indies." South Africa's average points tally is boosted by series wins against Zimbabwe and Bangladesh, while Australia have not yet played series against the two lowly nations.

The only team not to have been defeated by South Africa in a recent series at home, apart from Australia, are Pakistan, who shared a three-match series five seasons ago. It is because of that result that South Africa can improve their points tally, while Australia cannot gain extra points from their current series against England.

Pakistan will start the series as underdogs after being trounced 4-1 in a one-day series, followed by an unimpressive performance in a three-day warm-up match against South Africa A in Pietermaritzburg in which they were facing defeat when rain ended play early.

Skipper and fast bowler Waqar Younis will carry a huge burden for the tourists following the decision of fellow veteran Wasim Akram not to play in the Tests and the withdrawal because of a knee injury of Shoaib Akhtar.

The promising Mohammad Sami did not play against South Africa A because of a groin injury but is expected to be fit for the Test.

News | Business | Features | Editorial | Security
Politics | World | Letters | Sports | Obituaries |

Produced by Lake House
Copyright 2001 The Associated Newspapers of Ceylon Ltd.
Comments and suggestions to :Web Manager