Weary South Africans look to wrap up one-day series

Marcus Prior MWP

May 8, 2001

Their hair is ready to be let down - almost. South Africa's cricketers have slogged their way through over two months of hard cricket, boosted their frequent flier mileage substantially and learned how to sleep in a different bed every week.

There is one more mountain to climb, however, and on Wednesday at the Kensington Oval in Barbados, Shaun Pollock and his men will look to wrap up the one-day series against the West Indies with a fourth successive win against demoralised opponents. With a 3-1 lead in the series, one further win will be enough to clinch it.

"I can't wait to get home and put my feet up in front of the rugby," all-rounder Justin Kemp said after nets on Tuesday. "I really can't wait. But we've got a job in hand here - we have to win one of these one-day games and then we'll definitely start looking forward to going home."

The South African squad went through a voluntary session, with Jonty Rhodes taking a second session of throw-downs to work on his batting as the team bus prepared to leave, despite an average of 67 in the series.

Jacques Kallis went through a good work-out with the bat and looks to have shrugged off the calf muscle niggle which kept him out of the fourth game in Grenada. Neil McKenzie is back to full fitness and available for selection, but Lance Klusener's groin is of more serious concern. The all-rounder will definitely not play on Wednesday and is considered doubtful for Saturday's sixth game in Trinidad.

Klusener's loss is Kemp's gain, as the 23-year-old relishes the opportunity of further action in full colours after a patient start to the tour on the sidelines.

"We've got such a good team that you've just got to wait for an injury to come around - I know that's not nice, but that's what you've got to do!" Kemp said.

"You've got to take your chance when it comes in this team, and that's what I've been trying to do. I've got to knuckle down and do the best that I can."

Captain Shaun Pollock's attempts to capitalise on his fine form with the bat have been frustrated so far by the way the top order have batted. In Antigua and the first game in Grenada he was down to come in at six and faced just a single ball. On Sunday he was up to number five, but didn't get a chance as South Africa won by eight wickets.

"We'll have a look at where I bat tomorrow, especially with Jacques coming back into the side," Pollock said. "But it's actually a good thing me lurking because the guys know how weak the batting line-up is so they concentrate a bit more!" he joked.

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