Rebels end tour with no regrets

Press, 8 February 1986, Page 13

Rebels end tour with no regrets

NZPA-Reuter Johannesburg Kim Hughes’ rebel Australian cricketers leaving South Africa with no regrets at the end of their ban-breaking tour. "I am convinced now that we made the right decision than I was when we first came," Hughes said. He said he was confident of a good reception when the team returned home, in spite of losing both the unofficial test, and the limited overs series. The 32-year-old former captain of the official Australian side described his 16-man squad as “ambassadors for sport, ambassadors for humanity.” In a rare comment on the apartheid racial separation policy in white dominated South Africa, Hughes said: “Through sport, barriers are broken.” "Barriers are built through politics and religion. Sport is one vehicle which people of all races can come together.” Intially the players were • nervous about threatened demonstrations that might upset the tour, but nothing of consequence happened. A top security branch policeman more used to guarding politicians was assigned to ensure the team’s safety. Apart from checking out four bomb hoax calls,

his services were not required. The only incident of any kind in the threemonth tour came right at the end when airport authorities confiscated a water pistol from a South African journalist on a flight from Johannesburg to Kimberley. “There has not been a single incident, no phone calls, no placards, nothing,” Hughes said. While the tourists have made a favourable impact with the sports mad South Africans off the field, their performance between the wickets has been less sucessful. They lost the three match first class series, 01 with two matches drawn, then, after going two up in the six match limited overs series, the rebels finally went down, 2-4. Hughes was not disheartened, and said he: was confident of better results in the second leg of the two season contract when the players return in nine months time. “Next time we will have the advantage of knowing the South African players, knowing the grounds, knowing what to expect,” Hughes said. Positive aspects have emerged from the tour for which the 16 players are reportedly being paid $268,000 for the two seasons.

Hughes, who resigned the official Australian c a p - taincy in tears after his side was thrashed by the all-powerful West Indians, rediscovered the batting talent which once made him one of the country’s brightest stars. Mick Taylor, on the verge of selection for Australia for the past two years, took the opportunity to show he really ia a top quality batsman, while the irrepressible Greg Shipperd, in spite of his awkward batting style, always seemed to be in the centre of things, whether at the crease, keeping wicket or leaping high to take miraculous catches in the field. Disappointments there

were as well. Micheal Haysman, the South Australian right hander from whom much was expected, had a dreadful tour. And Graham Yallop, another former Australian captain was bedevilled by injury, and drew criticism from Hughes for lack of commitment. Injuries were at the root of the rbels’ problems. Team selection was never difficult towards the end they rarely had more than 11 men fit tb play. Going into the final 50 overs match on Wednesday, Peter Faulkner and Rodney Hogg were definitely ruled out. Another eight were walking wounded. Hughes was unable to explain the glut of injuries as one hamstring went after another in the first few weeks of the tour, the worst leaving opener Steve Smith hobbling on crutches for 12 days. Not that Springboks did not suffer either, losing the star batsman Graeme Pollock, with a broken finger, and captain Clive Rice managing a superb undefeated 95 in the final match, in spite of a suspected broken toe. Rice rightfully won the man of the series while Carl Rackemann, the blond giant from Queensland, took the honours in the unofficial test series, shouldering the main bowling burden and taking 28 wickets, far more than anyone else on either side.

Because they dared to break the sporting isolation of South Africa, the rebels have been barred from playing for the official Australia team for three years. This is far lesser punishment than that meted out to the West Indian rebels, who also made two tours to South Africa, and were banned for life.

Hughes is confident that several of his team will play for Australia: when their ban is Over, and He does ; not rule’ out the possibility he might also represent his country again. “When you look at the turnover of the players In the test team at the moment and the amount of tours, anything is possible,” he said.

Hughes was also confident the tour had gone some way to breaking down racial barriers in South Africa and promoting the game among blacks, most of whom concentrate on soccer, and ignore cricket.

“The matches were shown live on TV with the commentaries live in Zulu and other African languages which can only help to stimulate black interest in the game,” he said. “And then their were times like the one occasion at Newlands in Cape Town, when I saw a couple of whites and coloured guys laughing and fooling around together.” "Surely that can only be good.”