India-SA tie set high standard: Shastri

Former Indian cricketer Ravi Shastri says the exciting first game of the triangular tournament between India and South Africa has set a high standard for the triangular one-day series.

In the opening match Friday, India set a formidable target of 279 but was beaten by hosts South Africa.

Shastri, now a television commentator, was reacting to concerns that South Africa's walkover against Kenya on Sunday raised doubts about the fairness of the triangular combination. South Africa defeated the Kenyans with 160 runs reached in the 34th over with seven wickets to spare.

"I think the competition between South Africa and India will be consistently at that level, but I think the matches against Kenya will not necessarily reach the same heights," Shastri told the Afrikaans daily SportBeeld.

But Shastri added that it was essential that teams like Kenya and Bangladesh got exposure at that level. "It is crucial for the development of their game," he said.

"It is also of cardinal importance that there be a large pool of enthusiastic players in the under 13 and under 15 age groups who can come though the development programme. In this regard Bangladesh is far ahead of Kenya," he added.

Shastri conceded that the Indian and South African players might have a problem later to motivate themselves for matches against the Kenyans. "It could happen very easily. It's here that a captain has to take the lead and ensure that his players remain consistently focused," he said.

Concerns have also been raised about the performance of Kenya resulting in lower attendance at their games with the other two countries.

Meanwhile, the Indian cricket squad will face the return of spin bowler Nicky Boje when they meet the South Africans in the second one-day international at Centurion on Wednesday.

Boje was readmitted to the South African squad after injury earlier forced him to return home half way through a tour of the West Indies in April this year. He underwent knee and shoulder operations and returned to the field at the weekend in a provincial match.

"Although he did not take a single wicket in his 40 overs, he proved that he was fit enough to take his place in the national squad again," said the convenor of the South African selectors, Rushdi Magiet.

He said that Boje's inclusion was aimed at preparing him for the 2003 Cricket World Cup, to be hosted by South Africa. Boje, he added, had an important role to play in the tournament.

Magiet also said he had insisted on having as many matches against visitors as possible for the South African 'A' side in order to give them more exposure to international cricket as well.

Pace bowler Allan Donald was again excluded from the squad against India on Wednesday and against Kenya on Sunday in Kimberley. Donald's stomach muscle injury played up again, placing his fitness in doubt.

Donald has not played a game for his country for several months now, despite being selected.

India's tour of South Africa : Complete coverage

--Indo-Asian News Service

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