In an exclusive interview with the 'Daily News' Paulsen said that they have a young but a talented team who is groomed as a feeder pool to their national team, which is currently touring England for a five-Test series.
Paulsen is no stranger to South African cricket having held many important positions. This is his maiden overseas tour with the South Africa 'A' team to Sri Lanka. He also managed the South Africa 'A' team which made a clean five-nil whitewash (with one rain-hit match' in their recent six-match unofficial Test series against the West Indies 'A'.
Manager Paulsen stressed the importance of their tour here, especially at a time their national team is making a vital tour of England and next year's World Cup. ``South Africa is targeting the next World cup in England and in our search for young talent, it is good to give them a real testing time against the 'A' team of current world champions Sri Lanka,'' he added.
Leading South Africa 'A' on the month-long tour, which include three unofficial four-day Tests and an equal number of unofficial one day internationals against Sri Lanka 'A', will be D. Benkenstein who also functioned in a similar capacity when the team toured here two years ago. he an experienced campaigner having captained South Africa's Under-19 and 24 teams with distinction.
South Africa 'A' team is a blend of experience and youth. They have four experienced players who have already represented their country at Test level. They are H. D. Ackerman, Derrick Crooks, Herschelle Gibbs and Nicky Boje. The presence of the four Test 'caps' will give confidence to Benkenstein against an equally strong Sri Lankan side.
The second X1 'A' series between Sri Lanka and South Africa has been taking place on a reciprocal basis and have been a tremendous success with the two countries being able to find suitable replacements for their national teams. Incidently, the national teams of both Sri Lanka and South Africa are now in England, making their summer Test tours. The two teams, along with the hosts, are also down to play in a triangular one day series next month and Paulsen said it will be ideal for both teams to gain experience there before the 1999 World cup which too will be played in England.
The South African team's tour opener will be a three-day game against Sri Lanka President's X1 team which starts at the SSC grounds tomorrow. The local team will be captained by Sajith Fernando. The visitors will play three four-day unofficial Tests against Sri Lanka 'A' with the first match starting at the Asgiriya Stadium, Kandy on July 22. They will also play another three-day side game at the De Soysa Stadium from July 28-30.