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Cronje confident of a clean sweep

Buoyed by victory over India in the first Test at Bombay, South African skipper Hansie Cronje on Tuesday asserted that his team will make a clean sweep of the two-Test series by winning the second too at Bangalore.

Speaking to newsmen after a rigorous nets session at the Chinnaswamy stadium, Cronje said, "The pressure will be more on India as they have lost four Tests on the trot."

He said even before the series had commenced he had said that his team will perform well in India.

"After success in first Test the morale of the players is very high."

Cronje said Darryll Cullinan, who missed the first Test due to injury, will be available for second Test which begins on March 2. He disclosed that all-rounder Lance Klusener sprained his left ankle during the practise session in the morning.

"However he will come through before the match begins," he added.

Talking about the wicket after signing autographs for a group of children from the Spastics Society of Karnataka, Cronje said South Africa had no previous experience playing in Bangalore.

"Way back in 1993 we just played ten overs in a Reliance World Cup match against Zimbabwe which was washed out due to rain. However the wicket appears to be good -- better than the Bombay one, and is likely to turn after the second day," he said.

Meanwhile, the weatherman has predicted clear skies for the next two days after the city experienced unseasonal rainfall during the last three days.

The Indians spent more than two-and-a-half hours at the nets. Both captain Sachin Tendulkar and coach Kapil Dev reserved their comments.

India juniors coach Roger Binny also helped the team at the nets. He said the team, despite losing the Bombay Test, was in good spirits and raring to go.

Karnataka State Cricket Association secretary Brijesh Patel said ticket sales are gaining momentum. With the weather improving, he expected a better response in the next two days.

UNI