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| March 24, 2006 | Friday | Safar 23, 1427 |
Pollock returns to boost South Africa
DURBAN, March 23: Shaun Pollock, South Africa’s leading wicket-taker, was set to take his place in the South African team for the second Test against Australia at Kingsmead on Friday after bowling without any injury worries in the nets on Wednesday.
“He’s fit and he will be playing,” said team spokesman Gerald de Kock.
Pollock missed the first Test in Cape Town last week, which Australia won by seven wickets inside three days, with a back strain.
Pollock has taken a record 385 wickets in 97 Tests for South Africa and his skill and experience was missed in Cape Town on a pitch which gave inordinate help to the seam bowlers.
Durban resident Pollock has yet to play in a Test against Australia in his home town — and has only played in two home Tests over three series against the world champions. He broke down in the second Test of the 1996-97 series and did not play in any of the matches in 2001-02 because of injury.
The Kingsmead pitch is expected to offer pace and bounce, with batsmen likely to face a tough challenge on the first two days.
Probable teams:
South Africa: Graeme Smith (captain), A.B. de Villiers, Herschelle Gibbs, Jacques Kallis, Ashwell Prince, Jacques Rudolph, Mark Boucher, Shaun Pollock, Andrew Hall, Makhaya Ntini, Andre Nel.
Australia: Ricky Ponting (captain), Justin Langer, Matthew Hayden, Damien Martyn, Michael Hussey, Andrew Symonds, Adam Gilchrist, Shane Warne, Brett Lee, Michael Kasprowicz, Stuart Clark.
Umpires: Steve Bucknor and Billy Doctrove (both West Indies).
TV umpire: Brian Jerling (South Africa).
Match referee: Chris Broad (England).—AFP
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