Date-stamped : 30 Dec94 - 14:29
New Zealand v South Africa, Test 2
played at the Kingsmead Oval, Durban, 26-30 Dec 94

====> Prematch

SOUTH AFRICA FIGHTING FIT

Buoyed by their success in reaching the  finals  of  the  Mandela
Trophy  cricket  series,  South  Africa  go  into the second Test
against New Zealand on Monday.

Since New Zealand triumphed by 137 runs in the first Test at  the
Wanderers  in  Johannesburg  three  weeks ago, they have lost six
limited-overs matches in a row, being reduced to mere spectators.
South  Africa, on the other hand, have shown encouraging signs of
resurgence under skipper Cronje and the technical  expertise   of
newly-appointed coach Bob Woolmer.

(Thanks : INtv)
<END> Contributed by The Management (help@cricinfo.com)

====> Day 2, 27 Dec 94, Commins' batting

Saw a new face on the test scene very late last  night   on   TV.
John  Commins,  South Africa no.3 batsman. I don`t know the final
scores as I post this, but he was 21* at tea in the  SA 1st   in-
nings. VERY impressive.

Danny Morrison opened the bowling for us, and bowled  as  well as
anyone   in   the   match   so far. He was getting his usual away
swing with the new ball and was troubling Andrew Hudson terribly.
After flirting with danger a number of times, the inevitable hap-
pened and he was caught at slip by Young off Morrison.

Enter Commins. That was the last time DM looked like  getting   a
wicket.

in that particular session. After nearly playing on first  ball a
la   Brian   Young  Commins played Morrison as well as Hudson had
played him badly.  All of a sudden the away swinger was nullified
because Commins judged it well and let it go. If on the stumps it
was compact defence with no bat/pad gap -  front OR  back   foot.
Then  the  push  back  past  the bowler for a couple. Or the con-
trolled pull for another couple. He was impressive as a  rule  in
two main ways - his shot selection and his defensive compactness.
But for this innings he was impressive in a third way. It was his
test   debut  for heaven`s  sake! Seldom can a test debutant have
LOOKED so much a part of the scene in his first knock. He  looked
as  though he`d played test cricket for years. It wasn`t as if he
was a no4 to no6. It was precisely as a number 3 that  he  looked
so much the part.

Then we found out he was 31/32. We think of some of  those  South
African  guys  such as Peter Kirsten who have had little interna-
tional cricket because of the isolation, but  this  is  something
else. It seems incredible that he hasn`t got into the SA side be-
fore. Anyway, surely this guy will stay around for a  good  while
yet. He`s definitely one worth a look at.

<END> Contributed by GeoffB (srlnser@lhn.gns.cri.nz)