SA coach searches for a hero

Published March 3, 2003

DURBAN, March 2: South African coach Eric Simons hopes a hero will emerge during Monday’s key clash to lift his team into the Super Six.

“Tomorrow we need a hero,” Simons told Sapa news agency on Sunday.

“Winning cricket matches is about heroic performances. We want everyone in the squad to realise that they have that heroic ability within.”

Describing the game as a “do-or-die” affair, Simons said the topsy-turvy league so far prevented him from making predictions.

“It’s rather bizarre how things have worked out,” Simons admitted. “There was one week where the situation changed daily.

“Now I suppose it’s hero or zero. If the situation arises that we need crucial wickets or runs at the end, we want every player to welcome that opportunity and to perform.”

There has been criticism that the toss at Kingsmead determines the outcome of the game, but both Simons and skipper Shaun Pollock refuted the notion.—AFP

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