SA may make changes for second Test

South Africa may alter the team that won by nine wickets in the first Test against Zimbabwe to deal with pitch conditions in the second match of the series, which starts on Friday.

Only Andy Flower's heroic innings of 142 and 199 not out prevented South Africa from cruising to an innings victory in the Harare match, which ended on Tuesday.

But South Africa coach Graham Ford said Bulawayo's reputation for producing slower pitches that favour spinners could prompt a rethink.

"We haven't even had a chance to look at the pitch because it's been covered," Ford told reporters. "We were reasonably pleased with the guys who did the job in Harare, but if conditions ask for it we would consider changing the side.

"I think the chance of Zimbabwe bringing in an extra spinner is likely, and that's why we'd like to have a look at the pitch.

"They probably feel that those kind of pitches suit their batting better and neutralise our attack a bit, and they've got a few spinners floating around who can bowl quite nicely."

Zimbabwe have included leg spinner Paul Strang in their squad of 16 along with left armer Ray Price, who played in the first Test.

Specialist spinner

The problem for South Africa is that they selected just one specialist spinner for the Test squad in left armer Claude Henderson.

Off spinner Justin Ontong -- who also bowls leg breaks -- is travelling with the squad, but was selected only for the three one-day internationals to be played after the Test series.

That leaves the visitors with Gary Kirsten's occasional off spin and the off cutters Lance Klusener sent down with reasonable success in the first Test, taking two for 50 in 29 overs in the second innings.

But if South Africa are to bring in medium pace allrounder Justin Kemp or swing bowler Charl Langeveldt, Klusener would be one of the candidates to make way.

Fast bowler Makhaya Ntini, who had a lacklustre first Test, could also find his place under threat.

Another possible change would come if opening batsman Herschelle Gibbs does not recover from the lower back spasm that kept him out of action on the last day of the Harare Test.

"Herschelle's had that problem before and he's come through it without any real difficulty, so we feel he'll be alright," Ford said.

Speedy recovery

Zimbabwe seem set to relieve Flower of his wicketkeeping duties to speed up his recovery from a long standing thumb injury and from the slight groin strain he sustained in Harare.

In that case, Tatenda Taibu would take over behind the stumps.

Gavin Rennie is a rival to struggling opening batsman Alistair Campbell, while Stuart Carlisle could replace Craig Wishart.

Fast bowler Henry Olonga is out of form, but Zimbabwe may be forced to find a place for him in the side after their attack's tame display in the first Test.

Despite the unsettled state of the Zimbabwe camp, Ford said his team faces a rigorous test.

"They've shown over the last few years that they can compete with the best," Ford said. "They'll want to get out there and, I'm sure, fight all the way, hang in and try and frustrate us as much as possible."

"It was hard to blow batters away on that pitch (in Harare) without a real, out and out tearaway pace bowler.

"It's probably the first time there hasn't been a (Allan) Donald or a (Mfuneko) Ngam in the side since readmission, except for the Adelaide Test (in 1997-98) when Pollock bowled a whole heap of overs -- but he was probably a bit sharper in those days."

Donald is out of action until at least the second one-day international because of influenza, while Ngam is recovering from shoulder surgery.

Squads:
Zimbabwe: Heath Streak (captain), Alistair Campbell, Stuart Carlisle, Dion Ebrahim, Andy Flower, Grant Flower, Travis Friend, Doug Hondo, Hamilton Masakadza, Henry Olonga, Ray Price, Gavin Rennie, Paul Strang, Tatenda Taibu, Craig Wishart, Guy Whittall.

South Africa: Shaun Pollock (captain), Mark Boucher, Boeta Dippenaar, Herschelle Gibbs, Claude Henderson, Jacques Kallis, Justin Kemp, Gary Kirsten, Lance Klusener, Charl Langeveldt, Neil McKenzie, Andre Nel, Makhaya Ntini.

Mail Cricket Editor