Captaincy crisis sorted out: Magiet

Many leading personalities in the game from all over the world have been converging at the Wankhede stadium for the first Test between India and South Africa which commenced at the Wankhede stadium in Mumbai on Thursday.

Among them is the managing director of the United Cricket Board of South Africa Ali Bacher who is expected later on Thursday. The UCBSA has also deputed their chief selector Rushdie Magiet to help plan out strategy. He is South Africa's first non-white chairman. The UCBSA too had undergone a crisis over the captain's issue. The selectors were seriously considering replacing Hansie Cronje as he was not among the runs. Besides, Cronje was seriously considering taking up a coaching assignment with one of the English counties. "The crisis has been satisfactorily sorted out and Cronje has been entrusted to lead the side till the end of the season" Magiet emphasised.

The Springbok team will certainly miss the services of their leading fielder Jonty Rhodes. "Rhodes is to become a father in a day or two and opted to be with his wife during this period," Magiet stated before leaving for his regular prayers on Wednesday evening.

The South African team has also brought with them a doctor for treating players in case of any illness. "Craig Smith looks after the players' injury while I concentrate on the players' sickness" said Dr. Pregi Moodley. The UCBSA has also flown in their former fast bowler Van Zyl as an assistant coach to Graham Ford. He has been assigned a two-year contract to prepare fast bowlers for their country as Alan Donald is likely to announce his formal retirement either during the Bangalore Test or at some stage during the summer.