Pollock’s role under scrutiny

BRIDGETOWN: The success of new-ball pair Makhaya Ntini and Andre Nel has focused attention on Shaun Pollock’s future role in the Test and one-day teams. Convenor of selectors Haroon Lorgat, said he foresaw a significant shift in Pollock’s role in the team leading up to the World Cup in 2007.

"What I would like to see is Shaun playing the role of third seamer, but more importantly, realising his talent as a batsman by filling the specialist No 6 position. Instead of being a bowling all-rounder, becoming a batting all-rounder. If that happens, I believe the balance of the team will be further improved," Lorgat said.

Pollock, who will be 32 in July, said last year he wanted to continue his international career until at least the next World Cup in the Caribbean. He hasn’t played a role in the Test series to date, and Lorgat said the fact that the team had won without him spoke volumes for their improvement over the last few months.

Lorgat spoke of the development of the Test squad since he took over as convener in December last year after the tour to India.

"I said when I started that I wanted to introduce some new blood in the series against England, because a number of experienced players had not done the business for the national team. That is why we picked AB de Villiers and Dale Steyn and persevered with Hashim Aimla and Thami Tsolekile." "Obviously ‘AB’ has been the outstanding new player in the squad, and he has cemented his place at the top of the order, which has led to us shuffling the pack and moving Herschelle Gibbs to the middle-order, which needed bolstering."

The important role that Graeme Smith has played has contributed enormously to the success of the tour so far. Not only has he regained his form with the bat after his disappointments against England, making consecutive centuries in Trinidad and Barbados, but he has impressed as a captain. Selector Enver Mall, who accompanied the team for the first three Tests, has been vocal in his appreciation.