Last chance for A side to restore some pride
Source: IOL - Patrick Compton - September 16 2002

With the series lost, South Africa's second-best team face the same challenge their seniors encountered last season against the all-conquering Australians.

After losing five Tests on the trot against the Aussies last summer, (acting captain) Mark Boucher's men restored some pride with their victory in the third and final Test at Kingsmead in Durban.

Tomorrow, Neil McKenzie's team, already 5-0 down in the limited-overs series to Australia A, will be hoping that crossing the KwaZulu Natal border will also enable them to discover the elusive key to victory.

Dolphins veteran Errol Stewart, who played in the first three games of the seven-match series and hopes to get the nod as wicketkeeper tomorrow, said team spirit had been "superb" despite the series of defeats.

"The guys have bonded well, worked hard and not allowed the losses to get them down. The Aussies have played well, but I think our guys have been a little bit underdone after the winter break, while a lot of their guys have played competitively in England. In
addition, they owe a great deal to (Justin) Langer, who has propped them up time and again with his batting."

The venue for the final match of the series is the Pietermaritzburg Oval at Alexandra Park. Renovations to the ground for next year's World Cup are almost complete.

Groundsman Michael Patrick said pitch preparations had gone well and he predicted the strip would have reasonable pace and bounce, offering something to both
bowlers and batsmen.

Tickets cost R20 (adults) and R10 (children). The gates open at 9am.

TEAMS

South Africa: Neil McKenzie (capt), Loots Bosman, Steve Elworthy, Andrew Hall, Justin Kemp, Andre Nel, Mfuneko Ngam, Robin Peterson, Ashwell Prince, Jacques Rudolph, Errol Stewart, David Terbrugge, Thami Tsolikile, Martin van Jaarsveld

Australia: Justin Langer (capt), Simon Katich, Greg Blewett, Nathan Bracken, Ryan Campbell, Stuart Clark, Michael Clarke, Ian Harvey, Mark Higgs, Brad Hogg, Michael Hussey, Andrew Symonds, Brad Williams, Damien Wright

Umpires: Mohammad Nanabhay (Free State) and Barry
Lambson (Gauteng)

TV umpire: Garth Cuddenbey (EP)