Cricket: Procter is still waiting

HAVING waited 29 years to play in England again, South Africa's cricketers were being philosophical about another day's delay because the square here never dried out after being drenched in Friday night's storm. Dicky Bird and Ken Palmer took one look at it at 2pm, and called off the day's play.

A few of the tourists kicked a rugby ball about; some signed autographs, and if they looked at the programme, they would have seen what they - and we - have missed.

When South Africa played Kent on their last English tour in 1965, the wonderfully elegant left-hand bat Graham Pollock scored 203 not out. His brother Peter took five for 28 in Kent's first innings. Kent, whose team included Colin Cowdrey, Alan Knott and Derek Underwood, lost by an innings and 147 runs.

In the week since they arrived, the South African team have been overwhelmed by the reception: 'Everybody's been so pleased to see us back,' says Mike Procter, the once great all-rounder who is now team coach. Yesterday there was a tasting of South African wine, and boerewors was on the menu. And the celebrity interview in the programme was with the architect of the sporting boycott, Peter Hain, who will not reveal whether he supports England or South Africa.

The tourists found yesterday's delay just bearable because they have plenty of time to acclimatise, playing six games against counties before the Test at Lord's on 21 July. This side is accustomed to playing Tests right away when they tour and Procter says that now they need the time: 'In England you need to work longer than anywhere else.' Apart from anything else, these players have to learn how to fill in the time when rain stops play, but there is more lateral movement off the pitch in England than elsewhere and his batsmen need to get used to it.

Only four of these tourists have played first-class cricket in England, and only Kepler Wessels (Sussex) and Alan Donald (Warwickshire) have done so with any distinction. The bowling attack is short on spin (Procter can imagine a Test team without a spinner).

Asked who he expects to surprise England this summer, Procter did not pick Hansie Cronje, Jonty Rhodes or Andrew Hudson, but Daryll Cullinan, whose average in eight Tests is a modest 28.08, and who was tormented by Shane Warne during the tour of Australia: 'A talented batsman with a lot of flair. It's important that he comes through.'

Procter's team arrived just in time to see England humbled by the New Zealanders at Lord's. But he is expecting a tough series: 'It's 100 per cent commitment, otherwise there's no point in being out there,' Procter says with a smile. It is the smile on the face of a tiger.

The car parks and hospitality tents at Canterbury were unusually crowded for Saturday cricket, and there was a long queue outside the club office to get the ticket price refunded. There may have been no play, but there was no lack of anticipation at the prospect of an exciting tour.