Teams keep an eye on the future
Monday, 1 October 2007
KARACHI, Sept 30 (Cricinfo): Unmistakably, change is in the air. Pakistan and South Africa meet at the National Stadium in Karachi today (Monday) for the first Test, one eye on the now, one on the future.
South Africa, without any hang-ups, are looking ahead in the one tradition that has served them so richly since their re-admission into cricket, that of pace. Shaun Pollock, even if he does play, may no longer be one of the first names on the team sheet, more so if it is being written in the subcontinent.
Mickey Arthur, South Africa's coach, has been at pains to point out that they are entering "a new era" as far as fast bowling is concerned, though insisting that Pollock has not been shunted out for good. Yet, even if Morne Morkel's fitness is in doubt - though his condition has improved, he is due to undergo a fitness test in the morning - so too is Pollock's inclusion. Understandably, for the choice is not easy: opt for Pollock's batting security or risk the inexperience of Dale Steyn.
Pakistan contemplate more seismic changes. Captain, vice-captain and coach will all perform roles they have never performed before tomorrow, at Test level. Not that Shoaib Malik, Pakistan's 25th Test captain, was letting slip signs of nerves.
"I'm not nervous," Malik said. "It is my first Test as captain but I have played many Tests. I don't think about challenges as such. I just want to do what is good for Pakistan."
Pakistan (probable): 1 Salman Butt, 2 Mohammad Hafeez, 3 Younis Khan, 4 Mohammad Yousuf, 5 Shoaib Malik (capt), 6 Misbah-ul-Haq, 7 Kamran Akmal (wk), 8 Abdur Rehman, 9 Umar Gul, 10 Danish Kaneria, 11 Mohammad Asif
South Africa (probable): 1 Graeme Smith (capt), 2 Herschelle Gibbs, 3 Jacques Kallis, 4 Hashim Amla, 5 Ashwell Prince, 6 AB de Villiers, 7 Mark Boucher, 8 Andre Nel, 9 Makhaya Ntini, 10 Dale Steyn, 11 Paul Harris
South Africa, without any hang-ups, are looking ahead in the one tradition that has served them so richly since their re-admission into cricket, that of pace. Shaun Pollock, even if he does play, may no longer be one of the first names on the team sheet, more so if it is being written in the subcontinent.
Mickey Arthur, South Africa's coach, has been at pains to point out that they are entering "a new era" as far as fast bowling is concerned, though insisting that Pollock has not been shunted out for good. Yet, even if Morne Morkel's fitness is in doubt - though his condition has improved, he is due to undergo a fitness test in the morning - so too is Pollock's inclusion. Understandably, for the choice is not easy: opt for Pollock's batting security or risk the inexperience of Dale Steyn.
Pakistan contemplate more seismic changes. Captain, vice-captain and coach will all perform roles they have never performed before tomorrow, at Test level. Not that Shoaib Malik, Pakistan's 25th Test captain, was letting slip signs of nerves.
"I'm not nervous," Malik said. "It is my first Test as captain but I have played many Tests. I don't think about challenges as such. I just want to do what is good for Pakistan."
Pakistan (probable): 1 Salman Butt, 2 Mohammad Hafeez, 3 Younis Khan, 4 Mohammad Yousuf, 5 Shoaib Malik (capt), 6 Misbah-ul-Haq, 7 Kamran Akmal (wk), 8 Abdur Rehman, 9 Umar Gul, 10 Danish Kaneria, 11 Mohammad Asif
South Africa (probable): 1 Graeme Smith (capt), 2 Herschelle Gibbs, 3 Jacques Kallis, 4 Hashim Amla, 5 Ashwell Prince, 6 AB de Villiers, 7 Mark Boucher, 8 Andre Nel, 9 Makhaya Ntini, 10 Dale Steyn, 11 Paul Harris