After being left out of the final XI in South Africa’s last four Test matches, veteran all-rounder Shaun Pollock will be back in action in the limited overs series against New Zealand, starting with a Standard Bank Pro20 match at the Wanderers on Friday night.
”He’s a crucial cog in our game plans, and will probably play in all three one-day internationals [ODIs],” said convenor of selectors Joubert Strydom.
”As far as Test cricket is concerned, we have decided to go with an all-out pace attack, but even there, we want to keep Shaun involved,” he continued.
”But he is definitely not out of our plans for the future. We have also talked to him about the important role senior players can play in bringing on the younger ones. What we don’t want to happen is that a senior player suddenly decides to retire, and we have not groomed someone to take his place. Shaun is very aware of his responsibility to the team.”
Strydom said South Africa would make more use of all-rounders in the ODIs, because it was important to have players who could bat a long way down the order. Pollock is currently the world’s top-ranked ODI bowler, and also the top-ranked ODI all-rounder.
Regarding the decision by all-rounder Justin Kemp not to make himself available for selection to the national team, Strydom said this was disappointing.
”It’s unfortunate. We have backed him because he has been a prolific match-winner in the past,” said Strydom. ”He put in the kind of exceptional performances that we are looking for, but you can’t hold an individual back if he wants to earn more money.”
He said it had been almost impossible to keep Titans fast bowler Dale Steyn out of the ODI squad after his outstanding performance against New Zealand in the two Test matches. Steyn took 10 wickets in each Test, and was picked out by New Zealand captain Daniel Vettori as one of the reasons for South Africa’s total dominance in the two Tests.
”We like the idea of going in with someone of his pace. Also, when someone has a stranglehold over the opposition, you don’t want to release that stranglehold,” said Strydom. ”The new regulation, where the ball is changed after 35 overs, also helps Dale’s style of play. The new ball is usually a little harder than the one it replaces, which helps with the pace, and Dale also has the ability to swing the ball.”
The Pro20 match will be played at the Wanderers on Friday, and the three ODIs will be played at Kingsmead in Durban on Sunday, St Georges Park in Port Elizabeth on Friday November 30 and at Newlands in Cape Town on Sunday December 2. — Sapa
Proteas squad: Graeme Smith (capt), Herschelle Gibbs, Jacques Kallis, AB de Villiers, JP Duminy, Mark Boucher, Shaun Pollock, Albie Morkel, Vernon Philander, Johan Botha, Andre Nel, Charl Langeveldt, Makhaya Ntini, Dale Steyn. On standby: Morne van Wyk.