Nehra appeals for the wicket of Dippenaar

It's very difficult for me as manager to say that he must go and do the interview first."

Klusener passed up the opportunity to talk about his innings on a day when there were well under a thousand spectators in Goodyear Park.

And many of them seemed far more keen on topping up their suntans than applauding the wickets and boundaries on another baking day in Free State.

Although there is no specific clause in the South African players' contracts that demands they make themselves available for interviews, Raja appeared to admit that Klusener had failed to fulfil his obligations.

Klusener has a long history of avoiding the Press, even failing to appear for a media conference following his career best 174 against England in Port Elizabeth in the 1999/2000 test series.

He was not the only player who was choosy with his words on Monday.

Paceman Javagal Srinath became the only the fifth Indian to claim 200 Test wickets when he dismissed Shaun Pollock in the morning session in figures of five for 140.

But he spoke only briefly to television before going into the dressing room.