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| February 22, 2002 | Friday | Zilhaj 9, 1422 |
Injury rules Pollock out of opening Test
JOHANNESBURG, Feb 21: Australia received a huge boost ahead of Friday’s first Test against South Africa when the hosts captain Shaun Pollock and batsman Justin Ontong Thursday announced their withdrawals because of injury.
“It’s one of the most disappointing days of my career,” Pollock told a news conference, where he annouced his withdrawal because of a strained left thigh muscle.
Wicket-keeper Mark Boucher will take over as Test captain for the first time in his career.
“It’s a big moment for me, but it’s a big loss for Polly,” Boucher said.
Pollock revealed he first felt the pain in his left side during the one-day final against New Zealand in Australia earlier this month, but did not think it serious.
He felt the pain again after bowling four overs last weekend in a provincial one-day match for his KwaZulu-Natal team.
His place will now be taken by paceman Andre Nel, who was described by Australian vice-captain and wicket-keeper Adam Gilchrist as “a new challenge for us, should he play.”
Ontong was also forced out after suffering a left hamstring injury during a touch-rugby session before the start of practice Wednesday. He was later seen limping away from the practice field.
Left-handed batsman Ashwell Prince has been selected to replace Ontong in the squad and should contest the final batting spot with the uncapped Graeme Smith, who is an opening batsman while Ontong usually comes in at number six.
Prince blasted the Australian bowlers for an impressive 92, during their three-day match against South Africa ‘A’ at Potchefstroom.
Team physiotherapist Craig Smith said he hoped Pollock would be fit for the second Test, starting in Cape Town on March 8.
Ontong, though, could miss the whole three-Test series with Smith predicting it could take up to four weeks for his injury to heal.
Meanwhile, Australia will be favourites to continue their domination over South Africa.
The Australians moved to Johannesburg Wednesday after an impressive warm-up match against South Africa ‘A’.
Opening bowler Glenn McGrath, one of the stars of Australia’s 3-0 clean sweep when the two sides met in Australia earlier in the season, tuned up by taking five wickets against the South African second string.
The Australians were buoyed by centuries by Test captain Steve Waugh and new one-day captain Ricky Ponting, two batsmen who performed moderately in the home series.
Although Australia won the series in Australia in overwhelming fashion, the official World Test Championship will again be at stake, with South Africa, because of their superior record against other countries, needing only to share the series to take the title.
Australia cannot improve their points position because they are defending the championship points they gained when they beat South Africa by two Tests to one in a series in South Africa five seasons ago.
The 1996/97 triumph included an innings win in Johannesburg when Steve Waugh and Greg Blewett shared a fifth wicket record stand of 385.
The tourists can expect the Wanderers pitch to be different to the lifeless surface they played on five years ago. Former South African player Alan Kourie, director of cricket at the Gauteng cricket board, which hosts the game, said it would be more like a “traditional” Wanderers pitch.
“There will be good pace and bounce, with a bit of early life on the first two days, and some help for the spinners by about the fourth afternoon,” said Kourie.
South Africa’s pace bowlers were surprisingly ineffective in Australia, where the pitches gave them virtually no assistance.
Allan Donald, South Africa’s all-time leading wicket-taker, will carry a big responsibility in Pollock’s absence although at the age of 35 he has struggled to produce his best in recent seasons. He had a disappointing series in Australia, where he was recovering from injuries.
The recalled Makhaya Ntini was dropped during the series in Australia but made a strong comeback in helping South Africa win the subsequent triangular one-day tournament.
Ntini confirmed his form by taking six for 37 in a provincial match last weekend, including a hat trick.
Australia’s prolific opening batsmen, Justin Langer and Matthew Hayden, will look to continue the form they showed in Australia where they had first innings stands of 80, 202 and 219.
A key player for South Africa is likely to be world-class all-rounder Jacques Kallis.
Teams (from):
South Africa: Mark Boucher (captain), Herschelle Gibbs, Gary Kirsten, Jacques Kallis, Neil McKenzie, Boeta Dippenaar, Ashwell Prince, Nicky Boje, Allan Donald, Makhaya Ntini, Graeme Smith.
Australia: Steve Waugh (captain), Justin Langer, Matthew Hayden, Ricky Ponting, Mark Waugh, Damien Martyn, Adam Gilchrist, Shane Warne, Brett Lee, Jason Gillespie, Glenn McGrath.
Umpires: Rudi Koertzen (South Africa) and Steve Bucknor (West Indies).
TV umpire: Ian Howell.
Match referee: Cammie Smith (West Indies).—AFP
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