Cricket: Cronje warns of an Australian advance: Injured Mark Waugh given only an even chance of playing in first Test against South Africa as Middle Eastern country prepares for the grand stage
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Your support makes all the difference.HANSIE CRONJE, the South African vice-captain who hit a career- best 251 for Orange Free State against Australia this week, expects the touring team to step up a gear in the first Test, starting in Johannesburg today.
Australia face the opening match of the three-Test series - their first in South Africa since 1970 - after showing uneven form in the early tour games. But Cronje warned: 'There is no doubt that they will step up a gear for the Test. They are a good team.'
Although they had little trouble dispatching a weak Northern Transvaal side in the opening first- class game, Australia then found themselves trailing 3-1 in the eight- match limited-overs series.
Australia seem likely to retain the top seven in the order who played in the final Test of their recent home series against South Africa - if Mark Waugh is fit. Waugh split the thumb of his left hand in fielding practice during the match against Orange Free State. He was still having problems gripping a bat yesterday and his chances of playing were rated at only 50-50.
SOUTH AFRICA: A C Hudson, G Kirsten, W J Cronje, P N Kirsten, K C Wessels (capt), J N Rhodes, B M McMillan, D J Richardson (wkt), C R Matthews, P S de Villiers, A A Donald.
AUSTRALIA (from): M A Taylor, M J Slater, D C Boon, M E Waugh, S R Waugh, A R Border (capt), I A Healy (wkt), P R Reiffel, S K Warne, C J McDermott, M G Hughes, G D McGrath, D M Jones, M L Hayden, T B A May.
Saeed Anwar, the opener, steered Pakistan to a five-wicket win in a rain-shortened one-day international against New Zealand in Dunedin yesterday. Saeed hit 60 not out off 72 balls as Pakistan, needing 123 for victory in 30 overs, reached 123 for 5 with almost four overs to spare. The second match in the five-game series is in Auckland on Sunday.
ONE-DAY INTERNATIONAL (Dunedin, NZ): Pakistan beat New Zealand by 5 wickets. New Zealand 122 for 9; Pakistan 123 for 5 (Saeed Anwar 60no).
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