Hayward and Kirsten in SA selection poser

Port Elizabeth: As South Africa's selectors today ponder their pace bowling problems for the Kingsmead and Newlands Tests of the Millennium Series against England, opening batsman Gary Kirsten's career is again in the balance.

With Jacques Kallis likely to return to the bowling attack for the third Test in Durban over Christmas the question of Mornantau Hayward's presence in the squad could be reviewed as the fast-bowling find presses hard to be part of the team for the third crucial game starting on December 26.

It is an envious position to be in, but it creates a problem of whether to go with an all pace attack, which means there could be no place for Paul Adams at either venue.

Out of form and under siege as one of South Africa's opening batsman Kirsten may retain his place for at least the Kingsmead Test of the series against England when the squad for the Durban and Cape Town games is announced today.

With scores of 13, 15 and two in three innings of the first two Tests of the Millennium Series the Western Province opener's left-handed talents are likely to save him for one last chance in the hope he can rediscover his form in the third game of the five-match series.

Kirsten and the South Africa coach Graham Ford spent some time in the nets at St George's Park yesterday in an effort to try and sort out the left-hander's problem which has led to a run of disappointing scores since his return last month. This came after a lay off from a broken finger kept him out of the side for the series against Zimbabwe.

As it was there is some uncertainty whether Kirsten would have retained his place in the side for the two match series and Adam Bacher temporarily filled his position.

The argument that Kirsten and his partner, Herschelle Gibbs made an ideal pair because of their left hand/right hand combination is likely to help Kirsten retain his place and this should be extended until at least Kingsmead where it will up to him to perform.

With Kallis possibly returning as a bowler at least the balance to the attack will be restored which could lead to a rethink for Durban and possibly Cape Town.

By his own admission, however, Hayward, though, has no thought of trying to beat Shoaib Akhtar to the 160 kph barrier: bowling at 121 kph and taking a wicket is more important than bowling at 151 kph and getting pulled for four.

He also agrees there is a difference between fast bowling and bowling fast and would rather concentrate on fast bowling and making the most of the opportunities presented to take wickets. At this stage of his career he is all too conscious of the effects of getting the ball in the right area and causing as much discomfort to the batsman as possible.

Just how much a role he will play today when England bat a second time depends on his control of pace and direction. He is no longer the Wayward Hayward of the previous two summers and has learn how to keep a tight line.

Yesterday it needed a controversial half-century form Kallis to steer South Africa into a position from where they can launch a possible victory bid on the last day of this second Test against England at St George's Park today.

Yet despite the `reprieve', the time Kallis has taken to score his undefeated 74 may have condemned this Test to a draw as he dawdled his way, no doubt under instructions, to a second innings total of 189 for four at the close yesterday, giving South Africa an overall lead of 266 with 90 overs of the match remaining.

Given one of those marginal ``benefit of the doubt'' decisions which helped turn the tide of what had been a decided patchy top-order performance, Hansie Cronje's side was a decidedly shaky 48 for two when Kallis pushed at a ball which, on the evidence of later Sky TV replays, fed from their news camera, was caught by Chris Adams.

Match referee, Barry Jarman, from Australia, came up with one of the more entertaining, if obvious, quotes of the match when he felt ``it would be marvellous if all technology equipment at the ground was available (to the TV umpire)''.

What it shows, however, is that the TV technology available is flawed as we move into the millennium.