19 November 2004	Friday	06 Shawwal 1425

KANPUR, Nov 18: South African all-rounder Shaun Pollock has both team prestige and personal milestones to play for in an upcoming two-Test series against India.

The most adept in a team shorn of players with experience on the subcontinent, Pollock is also closing in on a rare Test double that will club him along with four great all-rounders of the past.

Pollock is on the verge of the achievement of scoring 3,000 runs and taking 300 wickets, which only Kapil Dev, Ian Botham, Richard Hadlee and Imran Khan have done before.

With 349 wickets against his name, the 31-year-old needs just another 68 runs to touch the 3,000-run mark and join the club of all-time greats.

"I just try and get as many runs and wickets and help South Africa win. There are some legendary names in that club but I will probably appreciate it more when I retire and people mention my name along with theirs'," he said.

"My aim is always to do well and help the team win and let the records take care of themselves. I haven't kept aims for myself but want to do my best," said the veteran of 85 Tests matches.

Pollock may have scored just six runs in his three innings in India but getting to the 3000-run mark may not be as difficult as ensuring good results for his team.

The withdrawal of opener Herschelle Gibbs and left-arm spinner Nicky Boje with fears over detention for a match-fixing case that the Delhi Police is still investigating, has added that much pressure on Pollock.

"I may not have a good record as a batsman in India but I always enjoy batting on the sub-continent," said Pollock, the most experienced player in a team of whom 10 have not played a Test in India before.

"It is always a challenge to do well in different conditions and against different bowlers," said Pollock, who fancied his team's chances against India.

"We are the underdogs and that suits us fine. We are playing in conditions suitable to the Indians and are far lesser in experience, so no one is giving us any chance. That puts the pressure on India.

"Also, sometimes, an unknown commodity can be dangerous," warned Pollock, who was sacked as captain after failing to take his team past the opening round of last year's World Cup.

"I get along fine with our new captain (Graeme) Smith and am always keen to perform. It is a privilege to be playing the game you love, all over the world, against the best," said Pollock.-AFP