by Monday 07 October 1996
Sameer Four Nation Cricket Tournament in Kenya: South Africa win
Elmo Rodrigopulle reporting from Nairobi
NAIROBI, Gymkhana Club, Sunday
Playing positive and intelligent cricket, South Africa beat Pak-
istan by seven wickets to win the Sameer Group four-nation crick-
et final and with it pocket US $ 50,000 here today.
Replying to Pakistan's 203 in 46.2 overs, South Africa replied
with 204 for three in 39.2 overs.
South Africa were helped in their victory push by a superb, styl-
ish hundred by left hander Gary Kirsten. He strikes the ball very
crisply and his timing is wonderful. He drives well on either
side of the wicket and is not afraid to cut and pull anything
that is pitched short. He had 15 fours.
Kirsten was involved in two productive partnerships 77 for the
first wicket with co-opener Andrew Hudson and the stand for the
fourth wicket with the ever reliable Jonty Rhodes which steered
them to a memorable triumph.
Kirsten remained unbeaten on 118 and with him when victory was
achieved was Jonty Rhodes on 16. They put on 97.
Play began in bright conditions and the ground was full even be-
fore play began. Anwar won the toss and decided to bat on a
wicket that had the usual early life for the pacies. Later it
turned out to help the spinners.
Pakistan opened well but with the dismissal of skipper Saeed
Anwar for 32 at 90, the Sahara Cup winners in Toronto continued
to lose wickets at regular intervals and could manage only 203.
Anwar was associated in an opening stand of 58 with his opening
partner Elahi who made 30.
Record breaker Afridi could make only 14. Others to enter double
figures were Ijaz Ahmed 47, Salim Malik 24 and Saeed Azad 31.
Donald, McMillan and Crookes did the damage with 3, 2 and 3 wick-
ets respectively.
When South Africa began they paced their victory chase intelli-
gently and batting sensibly and intelligently had no difficulty
in winning the match and carrying away the Sameer Group Cup.
Kirsten won the man of the match award and the man of the series
was the devastating paceman Allan Donald, who is also referred to
as `white lightning' for his speed.
====
India, Australia for next year's tourney ?
India and Australia are high on the priority list for next year's
Sameer Group tournament to be worked out by the Kenyan Cricket
Association in September.
The Kenyan Cricket Association will write to all the Test playing
nations inquiring whether they will be free at this time next
year and once the replies are received will make their choice.
Sri Lanka who played the most exciting cricket here are also high
on the invitation list. They were most unfortunate to bow out of
the final by the narrowest of narrow margins.
However they won the hearts of everyone here and the thrills and
e***ment they provided, especially in their confrontation
against Pakistan, will long be remembered.
Everyone here is convinced that Sri Lanka should have figured in
the final with South Africa. It was the glorious uncertainties of
the game that robbed them of a place in the final.
If the Indians play here they will not lack for want of crowd
support. Nairobi is dominated by the Indian population and if
Tendulkar's men are to play here they will certainly be crowd
pullers.
The Kenyan Cricket Association is thrilled by the success of this
tourney. According to Robin Armstrong, secretary of the organis-
ing committee, this is their first fling at organising such a big
event. `Judging by the success, it is certainly going to be an
annual affair', he said.
But one thing that the Kenyan Cricket Association must address
their minds to is better facilities for the media. The best fa-
cilities for the press was at the Aga Khan Sports Centre.
Thanks :: The Daily News (Sri Lanka) and
Lanka Internet Services