Cricket: Woolmer's boys for tomorrow

Indian summer beckons for the old man of the tour as Proteas continue to develop the young generation; Stephen Brenkley discovers the tourists have brought a hidden agenda - the future

FROM a fleeting glimpse it might appear that South Africa have brought on tour a Test team and several candidates to carry drinks for the next four months. The usual suspects, players of proven Test substance, have been joined by somewhat less familiar, if wonderfully exotic names.

It would be unwise to assume, however, that these men are here to hone their waiting skills. With a combination of youth and experience - the squad has an average age of 26 years, six months and goes from 20 to 38 - the selectors hope they have sent a team for the present and another for the future. While South Africa's top-order batting has sometimes been found wanting in recent Test matches the reserve strength is based largely on fast bowling.

"There are several of the party for whom this tour will be very much a learning experience," said the squad's English coach, Bob Woolmer. "It will be not only a case of them learning about English conditions but about developing their game generally. Without saying too much, we have high hopes that they can come on enough to play Tests in the future.

"It would be right to say that some have been picked not necessarily with an eye to them playing Tests this time. But they're here on merit and, while they probably won't all play, circumstances will dictate. This was a deliberate policy to come here with seasoned players and others who can gain so much."

The chief excitement is bound to surround Makhaya Ntini, the first player from the township development scheme to play for the country. Ntini, 20, played two Tests against Sri Lanka earlier this year (his first wicket was that of Aravinda de Silva) and although he was wayward he was also rapid. He began playing the game barely four years ago and immediately revealed the most potent bowling weapon of all.

"He's quick, he's strong and he's willing to learn," Woolmer said. "He can swing the ball and since he started so late he can be taught good habits. This is going to be a real learning experience for him but when he puts it in the right places more frequently then he could pose problems."

Ntini's progress will be watched no less keenly than that of Mornantu Hayward, known back home in Eastern Province as Nantie. Hayward, 21, also has raw pace and Woolmer harbours realistic but reluctantly expressed hopes that he may one day fill Allan Donald's formidable shoes. "He's raw and quick and at the moment I'm comparing him with Donald only in terms of possible pace. Donald is a truly great bowler and Hayward is some way off that but being here and watching at close quarters gives him a real opportunity after he did well for the A team against West Indies."

Hayward has already appeared in 21 first-class matches, which, to play an old tune, he almost certainly would not have done in England. The real reason for optimism lies in the machine which gauged him a few months ago: it measured his speed at 95mph.

Two of the others of little international experience, Gerhardus Liebenberg and Roger Telemachus, are slightly older at 26 and 25, which at least demonstrates that South Africa do not exempt those who take a little more time to develop. Liebenberg, from the Free State, was on the country's previous tour to England in 1994 as deputy wicketkepeer. This time he is here as a batsman and the opener in possession, having made his debut against Sri Lanka. As those who saw him make 98 against Worcestershire on Thursday can testify, he strikes the ball firmly.

Telemachus bowls with with zip and would have been likely to make the one-day side. But he dislocated his shoulder at Worcester before play began on the second day and his tour may already be over. It would be extremely unfortunate not least because he has had two previous tours shortened by injury.

Which leaves two other 21-year-olds, Paul Adams and Mark Boucher. Adams seems to have been around for years, mainly because he has. According to Woolmer and his captain, Hansie Cronje, he has matured as a man and a bowler. "He still has some growing up to do as a bowler but he's a livewire who can bowl some really devious deliveries. He's another player for whom it's a significant summer," Woolmer said.

Boucher is the wicketkeeper, so, naturally, his name rhymes with poucher. Since taking over from the veteran Dave Richardson in the winter, Boucher has indeed pouched 30 catches in six matches. He also averages 28 with the bat and is clearly a real gem from Border. Woolmer had to curb his enthusiasm and stopped short of making too direct a comparison with his friend and former Kent and England team-mate, Alan Knott.

"Mark has a lot of Knotty's work ethic at his age. He came late on the rails to get this job and he's made it his own. He's still got a bit to do to build his game behind the stumps. He's not Knotty yet because there was only one but he's young and he should have years and years in front of him."

It appears to amount to a telling blend. Recalling Brian McMillan at the age of 34 was something that seemed surprising but Woolmer emphasised the need for balance and the deliberate attempt to get it. Of the squad of 17, five (Ntini, Adams, Boucher, Hayward and Jacques Kallis) are not yet 23 while Adam Bacher (15 Tests) and Shaun Pollock (24) are not yet 25.

England's average age on their winter of West Indies was only 28 but just two of them were under 25 and both Ashley Cowan and Chris Silverwood really were there to carry drinks.