Given that they’ve got team-mates from two other countries, perhaps some might view South Africa’s desire to experiment during the Afro-Asia Cup, which starts at SuperSport Park on Wednesday, as selfish.
Of course, seeing that they’re providing more than two-thirds of the playing staff, a bit of self-indulgence is forgivable.
Between them stand-in skipper Shaun Pollock and newly appointed South African coach Mickey Arthur (who is looking after the African XI for the series) were somewhat apologetic in their assessment of the Africa side’s plans for the three-match series.
“There are a few fairly nice innovations we are going to try over the next few days from a purely South African point of view going forward, and the Kenyan and Zimbabwean guys have bought into that, so it’s not as though we’re being selfish, but it does give the guys opportunities,” remarked Arthur.
Besides giving Arthur the chance to acquaint himself with the South African players ahead of the tougher assignments in the summer, the series also provides the players with the opportunity to familiarise themselves with the new one-day international rules.
More: int.iol.co.za
Related Travel Information
The Afro-Asian Cricket Cooperation (AACC) has drawn up plans for a six-team, 16-match Under-19 tournament in the Indian port city of Vishakapatnam. The competition, featuring teams from India, Pakistan. Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, South Africa and Zimbabwe, will be held from November 19 -27, 2005, and will be used as a warm-up competition for next year's U19 World Cup.
Jagmohan Dalmiya, the president of the Asian Cricket Council and chairman of AACC, explained the rationale behind the tournament. "Afro-Asian Cricket Cooperation is a regional body formed by the Africa Cricket Association and the Asian Cricket Council to support the development activities
The Indian left-arm pace-man took three for 37 from eight overs to cock a snook at the Indian selectors, who dropped him from the tri-series in Zimbabwe.
Ashwell Prince struck an unbeaten 78 to give Africa a measure of respectability as they were dismissed for 198 by Asia in the opening one-day game of the three-match Afro-Asia Cup on Wednesday.
South African left-hander Prince hit five fours in 113 balls to resurrect the innings after Africa had been reduced to 57 for five in the 13th over after being put in to bat.
Indian left-arm seamer Zaheer Khan
Asia XI beat Africa XI in the second ODI by 17 runs and equaled the Afro Asia Cup here on Saturday.
Batting first Asia XI scored 267/7 with fine batting by V Sehwag 38, K Sangakkara 61, M Jayawardene 52, Yousuf Youhana 42 and Inzamam-ul-Haq not out 32.
H Streak claimed two for 64 and Odoyo three wickets for 45.
In reply, Africa XI was all out 250 in 49.2 overs with help of H Dippenaar c 23, M Boucher 16, A de Villiers 39, J Kemp 38, S Tikolo 43, S Pollock 29 and H Streak c Jayawardene 27.
Shoaib Akhtar clinched two
Hard-hitting all-rounder Albie Morkel has returned to the South African squad ahead of the 20/20 international against New Zealand on Friday.
The South Africans named a 15-man squad on Tuesday for the 20-over game and the first three one-day internationals.
Morkel has been chosen just for Friday's abbreviated contest, with convenor of selectors Haroon Lorgat intimating the 24-year-old could have a role as the designated substitute.
"Albie has shown us what he is capable of and he may be the ideal player suited to Pro20 cricket. We also need to be smart about our super-sub options," Lorgat said.
Morkel played in both warm-up matches
Its honours even with a 1-1 drawn series between the Asia and Africa cricket sides in the inaugural Standard Chartered Afro-Asia series with rain the ultimate winner in the deciding third game at the Sahara Stadium Kingsmead Sunday.
When the umpires finally called a halt to proceedings the Asia XI were on eight for two after three overs in reply to the miserly 106 all out by the Africa XI earlier on a day in which there was
first a late start (105 minutes after the scheduled midday starting time) and then several stoppages for further showers which brought the Duckworth-Lewis system
