S.Africa hopeful of reaching racial targets at World Cup

By Ken Borland

Convenor of selectors Haroon Lorgat said South Africa were confident of reaching racial targets after naming 14 coloured players on Tuesday in their provisional 30-man squad for the World Cup.

Cricket South Africa (CSA) has imposed a target of seven coloured players in the final 15-man squad which needs to be announced by Feb. 13.

"That's the target we have been aspiring to achieve and the last two years have been part of that process," Lorgat told reporters. "I can't see why we won't achieve that and I will be over the moon if we can select seven or more players of colour.

"We are already pretty close to the final 15. Twelve or 13 players are pencilled in and we will have to see what unfolds during the Pakistan series."

South Africa start a three-test series against Pakistan here on Thursday which will be followed by five one-dayers between Feb. 4-14.

Fourteen of the provisional squad not involved in the test series will play three limited-overs matches in Zimbabwe later this month for a World Cup Possibles side captained by Robin Peterson.

UPBEAT SMITH

Skipper Graeme Smith was upbeat on South Africa's World Cup chances despite going out in the first round on home soil in 2003.

"We've been a pretty settled one-day team with two years of good results around the world and we're confident we can shake off the problems we've had in previous World Cups," Smith said.

"The team has been running like a machine and this squad includes players of character."

Preliminary World Cup squad - Loots Bosman, Johan Botha, Mark Boucher, AB de Villiers, Boeta Dippenaar, JP Duminy, Herschelle Gibbs, Andrew Hall, Paul Harris, Jacques Kallis, Justin Kemp, Garnett Kruger, Charl Langeveldt, Albie Morkel, Andre Nel, Makhaya Ntini, Justin Ontong, Alviro Petersen, Robin Peterson, Vernon Philander, Shaun Pollock, Ashwell Prince, Jacques Rudolph, Graeme Smith, Dale Steyn, Roger Telemachus, Alfonso Thomas, Thandi Tshabalala, Johan van der Wath, Morne van Wyk.

World Cup Possibles (v Zimbabwe) - Loots Bosman, Boeta Dippenaar, JP Duminy, Justin Kemp, Charl Langeveldt, Albie Morkel, Alviro Petersen, Robin Peterson, Vernon Philander, Roger Telemachus, Alfonso Thomas, Thandi Tshabalala, Johan van der Wath, Morne van Wyk.