Although the match between South Africa and Pakistan last Saturday was not a life-or-death matter, like many bare-fisted street fights, the two points and psychological advantage gained by the South Africans were critical in the scheme of things in this memorable World Cup. When all looked lost, this closely-knit and disciplined team scrambled back from the brink of defeat to overhaul a Pakistani side that has one of the finest attacks on the international stage.

From this magnificently entertaining encounter emerged two players as hard and tough as any street-fighter.

Lance Klusener looks like a man who would not mind the odd scrap. His steely eyes, tree-trunk forearms and short commando hairstyle show that he means business even before he walks to the crease wielding his railway sleeper of a bat or stands impatient at his bowling mark.

A player with his ferocious, game-winning potential is enough to cause any opposing team to tremble. Perhaps the most admirable aspect of his play, apart from the sheer brutality of his stroke-making, has been the consistency with which he has made a difference. There are other batsmen who have raw ability that enables them to come in and hit a few big sixes, but they only come off every four or five innings. Klusener has not only scored runs when it really matters, but also finished every innings unbeaten. This is a a player who handles pressure without too many problems.

Equally impressive has been the awesome form of Moin Khan, the Pakistan wicketkeeper. Following in the footsteps of Javed Miandad, who was one of the game's toughest competitors, Moin has transformed games by his fantastic improvisation. Playing strokes that will never be found in the textbook, Moin is providing worse headaches for Pakistan's opponents than you would get from drinking too much cheap wine. Having played against him in a few Test matches, I know he will always show absolute defiance and fight to the finish.

I watched the South Africa players in the field during the drinks break and the way in which they were standing together in a huddle, talking and buzzing was a healthy sign. From my experience, strong team spirit and camaraderie provide the glue that enables the most successful sides to thrive, especially under pressure. I would say that this glue is starting to set when it matters.

My spies tell me that my fellow countrymen are also beginning to fill in the gaps just at the right time. Not only is their attitude very upbeat, but the best Australian players are also starting to display the dominance that the cricket world is used to seeing.

Glenn McGrath's bowling against India in the first Super Six fixture almost destroyed the hopes and dreams of 11 Indian players and the millions of their fanatical supporters back home. What had the potential to be one of the great contests was ruined by three magnificent deliveries.

Although he may have started this World Cup campaign a little slowly, McGrath has proved in his past two games that he is the best fast bowler in the world.

If he can bring the Indian top order to its knees, he can demolish any of the other teams left in the Super Sixes. None of the other sides boasts the same batting talent as India, which made Glenn's performance last Friday an even more remarkable one.

Warne against Tendulkar was billed as the decisive clash, but these two masters didn't even have time to wish each other "good luck". Although "Warney" took a little punishment, I believe that, along with McGrath, he will play a leading role in the rest of this tournament. The Indians are brought up on spin bowling and handle it well. Batsmen from South Africa, Zimbabwe and New Zealand may not have the same confidence.

From the printed edition of The Times, June 8, 1999

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