Tendulkar wouldn't be missing Cronje in SA

Sachin Tendulkar, beginning a tour of South Africa with the Indian cricket team, will not really miss former captain Hansie Cronje -- the most successful Proteas bowler against the batting maestro so far.

Tendulkar might also hope that the absence of Alan Donald from the national side due to injury and illness continues.

Cronje, who is awaiting an appeal decision from the high court after he was banned for life for his involvement in match fixing, has scalped Tendulkar four times. Donald was responsible for getting Tendulkar out thrice.

Plagued by injury and repeated bouts of flu, Donald had to forego the South African tour to Zimbabwe that ended Sunday, after missing a number of internationals at home and away.

Tendulkar, although regarded the best stroke player in the world, has not been the most prolific batsman during the times that the Indian side has visited South Africa.

Rahul Dravid holds that record. An average of 55.4 in three Tests and 45.6 in one-day games during the 1996-97 season makes Dravid the only Indian player whose South African record is higher than his career average.

But the absence of Cronje and the possible absence of Donald should not put the Indian team off their guard. They may well have to contend for the first time with the pace of Makhaya Ntini and Mfuneko Ngam.

The Indians are also keenly awaiting the return of stylish batsman V.V.S. Laxman, who will join the team for the Tests. Laxman will miss the one-day triangular series that also involves Kenya but is expected to arrive in time for the longer version that follows.

The first one-day international against South Africa is on Friday at the Wanderers stadium in Johannesburg.

--Indo-Asian News Service

Mail Cricket Editor