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S'Africa back Donald, name World Cup squad

South Africa's selectors kept the faith, picking Allan Donald in its World Cup squad of 15.

Chief selector Peter Pollock said he thought Donald would have recovered from his stomach muscle strain -- a chronic injury for the Protean paceman, which recurred during the recent tour of New Zealand -- in time to lead his country's bowling hopes in the premier tournament.

"Allan is a key member of the team, and we took a risk playing him in New Zealand, where he aggravated that stomach injury," Pollock said. "But he's on a strict workout programme with the team physio, and he's got about three to four weeks of rest before the tournament starts, so we're confident he'll be ready."

The selectors also kept the faith with Makhaya Ntini, despite the twin handicaps of a bad start to the season and a pending trial on rape charges. "Makhaya has done much better towards the end of the season and we are happy with his progress," Pollock said.

Another interesting entry was that of Derek Crookes, an electric fielder who ranks with Herschelle Gibbs and Jonty Rhodes in the front rank of what is an electric fielding side. "Derek is a supremely versatile one-day player. He's a batter, a pinch-hitter and a good fielder, and we regard him as a very valuable component of the team," Pollock said.

Nic Pothas, Alan Dawson, Paul Adams and Pat Symcox were the four names dropped from the 19-member shortlist announced earlier. Symcox, of course, ruled himself out when, after being named in the shortlist, he announced his retirement from international cricket. Thus, the really interesting omission is that of unorthodox spinner Paul Adams, South Africa's selectors obviously opting for a seam-centric attack for the conditions they will encounter in England in May-June.

The South African World Cup squad reads: Hansie Cronje (captain), Shaun Pollock (vice-captain), Gary Kirsten, Herschelle Gibbs, Jacques Kallis, Daryll Cullinan, Jonty Rhodes, Mark Boucher, Dale Benkenstein, Lance Klusener, Derek Crookes, Nicky Boje, Allan Donald, Steve Elworthy, Makhaya Ntini.

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