Pace debate over Klusener and Hayward

Port Elizabeth - About the only certainty in the South African camp at this stage is that the top six in the batting order will stay intact but the debate around the Mornantau Hayward for Lance Klusener in the second Test against England is as undeceive as it was 24 hours ago.

While England are battling, with any confidence, to name a final squad as Allan Mullally's injury creates added problem in the visitors ranks, South Africa's squad moved with smooth, efficient and professional confidence through their training session at St George's Park yesterday.

Rushdi Magiet, convener of the national selection panel, declined to add anything further than his comment of "covering all options". Yet there was a clear indication, after a look at the pitch that the top six will remain.

It has, after all, being South Africa's strong point and a bulwark built up over the last two seasons as Hansie Cronje's side, unbeaten at home since early March 1998, face the prospect of winning their 11th successive home Test.

A prospect which even a grim-faced Cronje would not have thought possible at a Kingsmead venue known for a volatile anti-South African sentiment.

Which means the "axe Jonty Rhodes brigade" are going to be as disappointed as is Klusener should the Natal all-rounder be released for Natal's weekend Super Eights game where he might prove a thing or two. The problem is that Jacques Kallis' knee injury is still creating a problem in balancing the side.

The latest theory of why South Africa should play Hayward instead of Klusener at St George's Park is that it will sell more Test tickets should the 22-year-old local "hero" be included. Just the sort of sentimental, parochial hogwash which creates the wrong image. What is best for South Africa may not fit in with local sentiment as Cronje and Co bid to establish a 2-0 lead in a bid to shut out England.

Yet the need to have a third fast bowler firing at the visitors is the one persuasive factor which may swing the balance in Hayward's favour, as the pitch is not the seamer friendly surface we had at the Wanderers.

A year ago it was the West Indies who batted as poorly twice in their two innings as any side which claims the status of being an international side. Frankly, as is their captain, Brian Lara, they are poor and disappointing and hardly worthy to be linked to the great teams of the past.

England are slightly different. They have a cause to justify and the key to this could again be the Michael Atherton and Allan Donald clash. As with South Africa they are not in a hurry to change the top six line up for fear of upsetting the balance of the side.

It had been thought that Michael Vaughan would be moved to three in the order, but this, it seems has been rejected as his role at four, where he has a calming influence, is of more importance to England's long-term planning which goes beyond this tour.

There is still a worry that England do not have the bowling firepower to win a Test let alone this one. What we have at St George's Park is the possibility of the spinner, Phil Tufnell, and Alex Tudor being brought in. Tudor to replace the injured Mullally, who has a side strain which is not responding to treatment and Tufnell to give the side a better spin option than Vaughan.

If Darren Gough and Andrew Caddick are unable to do to South Africa what Pollock and Donald did at the Wanderers two weeks ago, it could be a hard, tough series for the tourists.

South Africa (from): Gary Kirsten, Herschelle Gibbs, Jacques Kallis, Daryll Cullinan, Hansie Cronje (capt), Jonty Rhodes, Lance Klusener, Shaun Pollock, Mark Boucher, Allan Donald, Paul Adams, David Terbrugge, Mornantau Hayward. Twelfth man: Boeta Dippenaar.

England (possibly from): Michael Atherton, Mark Butcher, Nasser Hussain (capt), Michael Vaughan, Alec Stewart, Chris Adams, Andrew Flintoff, Gavin Hamilton, Alex Tudor, Andrew Caddick, Darren Gough, Phil Tufnell.