From: msains@ibis.ru.ac.za (Malcolm Sainsbury)
Subject: SA wins 3rd test by 9 wickets
Organization: IS Department, Rhodes University
Date: Tue, 29 Dec 1992 18:38:16 GMT

I'm afraid the Indian fans won't like this news, but cheer up, there
is at least some good news for you.

We had heard so much about the prowess of Kapil Dev, and we were beginning
to think that his reputation was inflated.  He has not had a good tour
of SA (by the standards of his record).  However we found out today why
he has been classed as such a world-class allrounder.  He came in yesterday
with India on about 23 for 4.  We saw him bat for an hour or so yesterday
and thought that he would be difficult to dislodge.  However today he
played an innings of great responsibility and also great agression.  His
timing of cover drives was superb, and although he was somewhat helped
by Kepler Wessels' policy of attacking fields, he was also troubled by
a very painful hand from an early thunderbolt of Schultz.  He smashed
129 and had the SA fans both delighted and worried at the same time.  He
was last to go, caught in the slips, having a swing because with Raju
there he had effectively run out of partners.  A brilliant innings which
took India to a respectable looking 215 all out.  (After 31 for 6 that
was not a total that most critics expected).  The last four in the Indian
batting order contributed the bulk of the total.  A lesson to the top
order one would think.

The other good thing for all cricket fans is the emergence of Alan
Donald as one of the top flight of fast bowlers.  He took 12 wickets
in the match with the finest spell of quick bowling I have ever seen.  I
was there on day 3 when he ripped through the top order.  I think he
will be quite something to go and see for fans all round the world.

SA needed to score 153 for victory, in one afternoon and a day.  If
there had been quick wickets taken (like in their first innings) then
Kapil's innings might just have been a match winning one.  However you
very seldom get Kepler Wessels cheaply twice in a match.  His mental
toughness (and skill) don't give anything away.  He stroked his way to
an impressive and commanding 95 not out, and with Andrew Hudson put on
an opening stand of 98 to put the result beyond doubt.  Hudson went for
33 and Cronje came in to help Wessels close off the game with 7 minutes
to spare on the 4th day.

The final test starts at the beautiful Newlands ground in Cape Town on
January 2nd.  They are cricket-crazy down there too, so the ground will
be packed for the new-year game.  SA fans are obviously delighted that
they now can't lose the series, but we are also most curious to see
what the selectors will do.  They have been reluctant to make any changes
at all (to their credit) and this has allowed the national team to
learn a lot about the international game (after 22 years in the wilderness)
The present squad has matured and toughened incredibly well, and those
of us here in the Eastern Province already know what Wessels' leadership
and attitude can do for a team.  He has done the same for SA it seems.  
However I am sorry to say that the career of Peter Kirsten might just be 
drawing to a close.  I do hope he gets another chance in Cape Town, and I 
really hope he proves me wrong by playing another quality innings.  Also 
Kepler Wessels hates opening the innings.  If he has any influence I'm sure
he will press the selectors to choose a recognised opener with Hudson.
Perhaps Jimmy Cook or (looking to the future) Mark Rushmere.  I would
think that Peter Kirsten, Jonty Rhodes and Omar Henry must be somewhat
on edge to hear what the selectors will do.  Rhodes' youth is on his
side, but the other two must be very nervous indeed.

As for the Indians, it seems that the SA batsmen have now figured out how 
to play Kumble more confidently.  Raju looked to me like a much better
bowler.  Kumble can certainly handle a bat better than Raju.  The Indian
top order need to come to terms with the hostility of the SA pace attack.
We have not yet seen the best of Tendulkar, Manjrekhar, Shastri, etc.
Perhaps it will all come together in Cape Town.

Meanwhile the Indian Schools team is also touring here and making a
better impression on SA bowling than their seniors.  They are unbeaten to 
date in about 7 games.

Stay well

Malcolm
--
Malcolm Sainsbury - Dept of Information Systems - Rhodes University
Internet: msains@ibis.ru.ac.za                 Phone: +27 [0]461 22023 xt 244
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