September 29, 2007	Saturday	Ramazan 16, 1428

KARACHI, Sept 28: Veteran all-rounder Shaun Pollock on Friday said he was disappointed after being dropped from the South African team for next week’s first Test against Pakistan.

“I am a bit surprised and disappointed at being told that I will not be part of the team in the first Test,” Pollock told reporters ahead of the Test which starts here from Monday.

The 34-year-old was also not part of the team which has been playing a three-day side match against the Patron’s XI here since Thursday.

“Mickey (Arthur, the South African coach) told me yesterday that they wanted to go into the first Test with a different side and I won’t be part of it,” Pollock said. “Obviously it’s disappointing but from the team’s perspective we have to move on and think what is the best for the team,” said Pollock, who has taken 416 wickets in 107 Tests besides having scored 3,781 runs. He has 383 wickets in 290 One-day Internationals.

“I am more disappointed because this is for the first time that I have been dropped (other than injuries) but you have to move on. I am not the right man for the job at the moment,” he said.

“Obviously Mickey had a discussion and he told me I am not in the team because they wanted to use Jacques Kallis and Paul Harris for the first Test.

“You could say I am surprised to have been eliminated already. Mickey has spoken to me once before, about three months back, that they were not too sure what tactics they have for tour of Pakistan. But when I was chosen in the squad I thought I had a good chance to play and it did come as a surprise to me.“Mickey and Graeme (Smith, the South African skipper) are in charge of making the decision and they have to decide what the best way is; no individual is bigger than the team.”

But the veteran paceman ruled out retirement or joining the breakaway Indian Cricket League in response to his omission.

“I am not going to take any decision and will take my career season by season as I still feel I have a part to play, especially in South Africa where pitches are conducive for fast bowlers,” said Pollock. “I was man of the series against India in Tests earlier this year and performed well in the series against Pakistan (both in South Africa) so I feel I have enough to offer.

“As for the Indian league they approached me five months back as they approached everybody else but I was not interested then and I am not interested now,” said Pollock about the multi-million-dollar league bankrolled by India’s largest media group.

Pollock further said he did not lack the motivation to stage a comeback.

“It’s not difficult to motivate yourself when you play for your country and I still have the motivation to play for South Africa. I will look for my chance in the second Test,” said Pollock.—AFP