Zulu a thumping good success (21 May 1999)

21 May 1999

Zulu a thumping good success

Trevor Chesterfield

London - In some circles he is know as "Lance the Lionheart" while the British tabloids have called him anything from "Zulu Warrior" to "Mr all-round Fix it". But Lance Klusener, your regular nice guy at this year's World Cup is not far removed from becoming one of the stars of the tournament.

It is perhaps premature to call him the world's best all-rounder. Not with Wasim Akram, his South African teammate Jacques Kallis and even India's Saurav Ganguly adding weight to their ability if not claims.

Strange as it is, though, Klusener, overlooked as a top playmaker for World Cup '99 has now emerged as a big name after hiding in the shadows during the warm up matches in the "freezing zone".

Even a couple of noted British writers, Paul Weaver (The Guardian) and Colin Bateman (Daily Express) wondered where he had been hiding. Six wickets in two matches along with 64 runs in two explosive innings and you have a ready made headline winner.

Even his nickname Zulu signifies his fluency in a couple of South Africa's 12 official languages and proficiency in another. Zulu as well as Xhosa radio stations delight when he gives them an interview: explaining a complex game to hundreds of thousands of listeners. Transmit this special gift to the playing field and you have a highly combative player who is not one to shrug a heavy workload in the interests of the team.

He also has a sharp sense of humour which comes through strongly enough. On the 1996 South Africa A team tour of England he offered an umpire a bite of his Mars bar during one of his long spells of bowling in a county game.

It is a long way since his days at Durban Boys' High when as a nipper in shorts he would turn up at the second team's nets. The side's coach, Barry Lane enjoyed the efforts the youngster put into his bowling but did not see much of a future for him as a bowler.

"I think you should concentrate on your batting," was English teacher Lane's advice to the young Zululand wannabe all-rounder.

"Boy, I didn't get that one right, did I?" an amused Lane said not long ago.

Now, with 79 limited-overs international wickets to his credit and 1 371 runs the problem is growing for his captain, Hansie Cronje, where to bat the 27-year-old all-rounder. His LOIs batting average has now been bumped to an impressive 41.54 as his revival of lost causes acts continues.

He is second to Wasim Akram as the fastest scorer of runs scored off 100 balls (130.61) to Akram's 166.67 and is now the leading "big hitter" (boundaries scored) in the tournament. His eight fours and two sixes gives him a percentage of 68.75 for balls faced. Second is Zimbabwe's Neil Johnson (66.67%) and third Kenyan Thomas Odoyo (61.29%).

Although it is far too soon for South Africa to start thinking about discarding Mark Boucher's batting role in this World Cup Klusener's lower order spot may be under threat after his heroics in the first two games.

"Anywhere from three to 10 would suit me fine," he said when asked his preferred spot in the batting order.

But that is Klusener for you: a player big on talent, modest about his own ability and who gives 120% for his team.

Source :: Trevor Chesterfield