CHENNAI: You can easily call this a battle of two legends! Allan Donald and Jonty Rhodes were two of the best mates when South Africa were finding their feet in the international arena.
Two decades down the line, Donald and Rhodes are in charge of the bowling and fielding departments of two teams that are going through their rebuilding phases.
As New Zealand and Kenya take on each other in their World Cup opener, the inputs of these two South African greats will be invaluable to their respective teams.
Both have a fair amount of experience of playing in India, both know about the pressures attached to playing the World Cup and both have the desire to succeed.
The New Zealand and Kenyan team managements have huge faith in these stars. While the Kiwi skipper Daniel Vettori said "that Donald brings in all his expertise and confidence into the team," the Kenyan captain Jimmy Kamande, too was effusive in his praise of Jonty.
"He is a master of the craft and is helping us in a big way not just in fielding but also in batting as well. His inputs will be invaluable as we look to turn the heat on New Zealand," Kamande said, as Rhodes smiled, sitting beside him.
As the South African suggested, Sunday's game will be a battle between two of the best fielding sides in the competition. "New Zealand have some of the best fielders in the world while some our boys can win medals in the 800m in Olympics...It's bound to be a great fielding treat," Rhodes said.
Donald mentioned the other day that reverse swing will play a key role in the World Cup and Vettori said that the legend has really worked hard with the likes of Tim Southee and Kyle Mills on this aspect. "With Allan's knowledge our bowlers could get the required results in this tournament... It is incredibly difficult for the fast bowlers on these tracks to make their presence felt, but I think they will put up a challenge," the skipper added.
New Zealand, though, have some problems in the spin department with Vettori coming back from a groin injury and offie Nathan McCullum struggling to get fit after a bout of fever and dehydration.
The Kiwi skipper, though, insisted that McCullum will play. "Nathan was discharged from the hospital this morning and joined us for a light session during the day. He is a lot better and we will take a decision on him Sunday," Vettori said. If McCullum is finally unable to get fit, left-arm spinner Luke Woodcock will take his place.
The Kenyans, on the other hand, have practised in subcontinent conditions for a while and they are banking heavily on their spinners. The Kenyan management knows that New Zealand have struggled against spin of late and they will look to unleash all their spinners.
"We have got a good depth in our spin department and that should be a big help for us in these conditions," Kenyan veteran Steve Tikolo said.
But there's one aspect where the Kiwis are head and shoulders ahead of the Kenyans and that is the depth in batting. Brendon McCullum's destructive abilities are well-known while the likes of Jesse Ryder and Ross Taylor have played enough cricket in India to pile it on against the Kenyan attack. Even though Kamande sounded the warning bell saying that New Zealand will find it tough, he knows deep down that it will take a real special effort from them to turn the tables on Vettori & Co.
Two decades down the line, Donald and Rhodes are in charge of the bowling and fielding departments of two teams that are going through their rebuilding phases.
As New Zealand and Kenya take on each other in their World Cup opener, the inputs of these two South African greats will be invaluable to their respective teams.
Both have a fair amount of experience of playing in India, both know about the pressures attached to playing the World Cup and both have the desire to succeed.
The New Zealand and Kenyan team managements have huge faith in these stars. While the Kiwi skipper Daniel Vettori said "that Donald brings in all his expertise and confidence into the team," the Kenyan captain Jimmy Kamande, too was effusive in his praise of Jonty.
"He is a master of the craft and is helping us in a big way not just in fielding but also in batting as well. His inputs will be invaluable as we look to turn the heat on New Zealand," Kamande said, as Rhodes smiled, sitting beside him.
As the South African suggested, Sunday's game will be a battle between two of the best fielding sides in the competition. "New Zealand have some of the best fielders in the world while some our boys can win medals in the 800m in Olympics...It's bound to be a great fielding treat," Rhodes said.
Donald mentioned the other day that reverse swing will play a key role in the World Cup and Vettori said that the legend has really worked hard with the likes of Tim Southee and Kyle Mills on this aspect. "With Allan's knowledge our bowlers could get the required results in this tournament... It is incredibly difficult for the fast bowlers on these tracks to make their presence felt, but I think they will put up a challenge," the skipper added.
New Zealand, though, have some problems in the spin department with Vettori coming back from a groin injury and offie Nathan McCullum struggling to get fit after a bout of fever and dehydration.
The Kiwi skipper, though, insisted that McCullum will play. "Nathan was discharged from the hospital this morning and joined us for a light session during the day. He is a lot better and we will take a decision on him Sunday," Vettori said. If McCullum is finally unable to get fit, left-arm spinner Luke Woodcock will take his place.
The Kenyans, on the other hand, have practised in subcontinent conditions for a while and they are banking heavily on their spinners. The Kenyan management knows that New Zealand have struggled against spin of late and they will look to unleash all their spinners.
"We have got a good depth in our spin department and that should be a big help for us in these conditions," Kenyan veteran Steve Tikolo said.
But there's one aspect where the Kiwis are head and shoulders ahead of the Kenyans and that is the depth in batting. Brendon McCullum's destructive abilities are well-known while the likes of Jesse Ryder and Ross Taylor have played enough cricket in India to pile it on against the Kenyan attack. Even though Kamande sounded the warning bell saying that New Zealand will find it tough, he knows deep down that it will take a real special effort from them to turn the tables on Vettori & Co.
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