South African cricket captain Shaun Pollock admitted on Tuesday that the only blight on their seven wicket win over a Boland selection was the glut of extras his bowlers gave away.
Unusually for a South African side, Pollock’s attack leaked 12 extra balls — six wides and six no balls.
Of far more concern though was the sundries conceded by three of the four World Cup bowlers who turned out for Boland.
Between Makhaya Ntini, Charl Langeveldt and Lance Klusener, 21 wides and no balls were given away as Boland tried in vain to defend 205 for nine.
”We’ll have to have a look at it,” conceded Pollock after Herschelle Gibbs spurred South Africa to a morale boosting win with almost 10 overs to spare.
”Sometimes you bowl a lot of wides and no balls when you’ve had quite a few net sessions and practices and no game time.
”The next game we’ll have to pull that back though. A few runs could be vital.”
Having lost the first of three warm up games prior to the World Cup to Western Province, South Africa experienced a few hairy moments again when Graeme Smith plundered the attack.
Once Smith was bowled by Nicky Boje though for 57, the Boland innings imploded. Gibbs then made a century from 116 balls before retiring to ensure that any embarrassment was avoided.
Pollock though said the win did not come as a huge relief.
”We expected to win,” he responded, ”but I suppose we also expected to beat Province.
”The mental attitude today though was a lot better. We were determined not to let it slip.”
South Africa decided to play Jacques Kallis despite the allrounder suffering a bruised and swollen toe. While Kallis refrained from bowling, he did manage an untroubled 43 not out.
Pollock felt that giving Kallis a run far outweighed any risk. ”It was definitely worth playing Jacques. Time in the middle is so important.” – Sapa
More cricket in our Cricket World Cup special report.