Bloemfontein: South Africa's coach Eric Simons lashed out on Wednesday at reports there are deep divisions in the World Cup squad and the players are still united in their title quest.

"Some of the press has just focused on certain issues," Simons told the SAPA news agency as the team arrived here for Saturday's game against Bangladesh. "I can state categorically there is no split. We had a great team meeting yesterday (Tuesday) and, if anything, those reports have just seen the side gel even better." In recent days, opener Herschelle Gibbs had hinted the team missed the influence and tactical ability of its late, disgraced skipper Hansie Cronje while Gary Kirsten hit back insisting the dissenters should get behind skipper Shaun Pollock as the team tries to resurrect its campaign following one win and two defeats. On Tuesday, United Cricket Board of South Africa (UCBSA) chief executive Gerald Majola was moved to instruct players to refrain from comparing Cronje to Pollock. "Some players should stop comparing the captaincy styles of Shaun Pollock and the late Hansie Cronje and get on with the job of winning World Cup matches", said Majola. Copyright AFP 2001

Extras:
UCBSA bids to keep team united, stops all Cronje talk

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Tags: cricket, world cup 2003, eric simons, sapa news agency, bangladesh, herscehlle gibbs, hansie cronje, gary kirsten, shaun pollock, united cricket board of south africa (ucbsa), chief executive gerald majola, cronje, hansie cronje.

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