Birthday Bonus

As you guys have no doubt seen, the Morocco Cup was largely dominated by spin. This was largely due to the awkwardness and uncertainty of the wicket that was a direct product of first time use.

Both Pakistan and Sri Lanka possess outstanding tweakers in Saqlain and Muralitharan who, on their day, are out and out match winners. But to be honest, the South African cupboard is a little bare.

I really have to question the strides made in South Africa over the years to solve this problem. If you glance around the rest of the premier playing nations, all but England and South Africa have this base covered.

I've mentioned Pakistan and Sri Lanka and if we look further, Australia have Warne, New Zealand have Vettori and India are lucky enough to be able to choose between Kumble and Singh.

Speaking of spinners, I want to roll back the years and reflect on an incident I will never forget.

When I toured South Africa in the mid-eighties with Kim Hughes' team we heard a great deal about the great South African team that we were up against.

One of the guys we took particular notice of was Alan Kourie, simply due to his outstanding record. I distinctly remember upon arrival, Kim Hughes, who was always up for a challenge, declared he would 'sort out' Kourie.

What was to follow a couple of weeks later, was remarkable. We were playing against South Africa in the first big game of the tour at Kingsmead.

The date was January 26th, which is Australia Day and also, co-incidently, Kim's birthday. I was batting with Kim during the mid afternoon and he was enjoying facing Alan, with swift footwork, driving him consistently.

As he was launching his attack and dancing down the wicket I suddenly heard him say something.

Thinking he was trying to 'secretly' communicate with me, I backed up further than normal from the non-strikers end to hear what he was saying. After another over of total onslaught I finally worked out what was going on.

Kim, now brimful of confidence and obviously revelling in his mission of 'sorting out' Kourie was, believe it or not, singing happy birthday to himself as he ripped into the left arm orthodox spinner!

When facing most of the twirlers around today there aren't that many gifts on offer.