Cricket-Hard work solves South African problems, says Arthur

PORT-OF-SPAIN, Trinidad, Mar 8 (Reuters) South Africa are hoping that a gruelling practice session would have resolved their batting woes by the time they take on Pakistan in a World Cup warm-up match tomorrow.

Lowly Ireland surprised the world's top ranked team by reducing them to 91 for eight on Monday. The South Africans staged a late fightback to score 192 before winning the match by 35 runs.

But by then the damage was done and the team management's remedy was to schedule a three-hour training session at the St Mary's College ground in Port-of-Spain on a typically hot and humid afternoon yesterday.

All of the frontline batsmen had a lengthy spell in the nets, and the session ended with all-rounders Justin Kemp and Shaun Pollock practising hitting sixes.

Kemp has recovered after being struck on his big left toe by fast bowler Charl Langeveldt in the nets on Sunday, and is likely to play against Pakistan.

''I'm really happy with where we are, we needed those three hours and we're in a really good place now,'' coach Mickey Arthur told reporters.

Arthur said beating Pakistan in the 13-a-side game was not as high on the South Africans' list of priorities.

''We'll take the most out of the Pakistan game in terms of rounding off our preparations,'' Arthur said.

''The result is neither here nor there, I want us to get what can out of the game and then we can settle into the World Cup proper.'' Arthur said his men were keenly awaiting the start of the tournament proper.

''It feels a bit like we're working with no eventual goal, but the minute we hit St Kitts (where South Africa will play their Group A matches) that will all change,'' he said.

Pakistan lost both the test and one-day series on their tour to South Africa this season, but coach Bob Woolmer was quick to point out that those results would count for little tomorrow.

''When every series is over you need to put it away and look to the future,'' Woolmer told reporters.

''Things can change very quickly, as we saw when South Africa were 91 for eight against Ireland.'' Fast bowlers Mohammad Sami and Yasir Arafat, who replaced the injured Shoaib Akhtar and Mohammad Asif, have joined the Pakistan squad and both took part in the team's training session today.

REUTERS SP KN2353