South Africans seek better showing

Published February 20, 2004

WELLINGTON, Feb 19: South Africa's bowlers have been told to raise their game after the five wicket loss to New Zealand that squared their six-match One-day International series at 1-1.

Skipper Graeme Smith said he was disappointed with his attack, which allowed his opposite Stephen Fleming to score a century and lead his team to victory by overhauling South Africa's 253 on Tuesday.

"We have had a discussion and we'll have another one this afternoon and the bowlers know they have to perform better," Smith said on Thursday. "Compared to their bowlers on the day, we were way off and we have got to lift the bar tomorrow," he said at Wellington Stadium, the venue for Friday's third match.

Record rainfalls in the area have brought widespread flooding and while the stadium pitch was well protected, the outfield was still damp on Thursday and neither team could practise on it.

Smith will play despite still suffering the effects of influenza while Lance Klusener was doubtful due to a back injury suffered in the Christchurch game. Medium-pacer Albie Morkel is set to replace Klusener if he cannot play. Fleming expressed concern with the pitch and said reading New Zealand wickets was a "lottery" that took away some of the advantage of playing at home.

Teams (from):

New Zealand: Stephen Fleming (captain), Michael Papps, Hamish Marshall, Scott Styris, Craig McMillan, Chris Cairns, Jacob Oram, Brendon McCullum, Daniel Vettori, Kyle Mills, Daryl Tuffey, Michael Mason.

South Africa: Graeme Smith (captain), Herschelle Gibbs, Jacques Kallis, Boeta Dippenaar, Jacques Rudolph, Mark Boucher, Shaun Pollock, Lance Klusener, Makhaya Ntini, Andre Nel, Nicky Boje, Robin Peterson, Albie Morkel, Ashwell Prince. -Reuters