ADELAIDE, Dec 12: South Africa is a stronger cricket team in the wake of the match-fixing scandal, captain Shaun Pollock said Wednesday.

Pollock, who will lead the Proteas in the first of three Tests against Australia at the Adelaide Oval Friday, said his team was better balanced following the tumult.

World cricket had a crisis of confidence when former South African skipper Hansie Cronje confessed to match-fixing last year.

Cronje, a friend to many of the South African Test players, rocked the team with subsequent revelations and was banned from cricket for life.

Pollock came into the captaincy earlier than expected and had the task of rebuilding morale and trust within a team which was said to be divided into pro and anti-Cronje camps.

Pollock said the pressure of the situation has helped the team in the long run.

“I think we’ve had to deal with quite few things in South African cricket over the years,” Pollock said Wednesday.

“Coming back in 1991 (after the end of apartheid) we hadn’t played so we had to regroup and restart.

“And then, obviously, the other pressures we’ve faced along the road have made us a stronger team, a more rounded team.

“I think we’re better balanced from all aspects — on and off the field.

“It has pulled the guys together and we’re fighting for a common cause.”

An example of on-field improvement is the batting of Herschelle Gibbs, who was banned for six months after pleading guilty to taking money to underperform.

Since serving his ban, he has scored 1002 runs at an average of 59 and has become one of the best openers in the world.

Pollock said taking on the world champion Australians was easily the biggest challenge he had encountered.

“At this moment in time, this is the biggest challenge because Australia are ranked at number one in the world,” he said.

“So at the moment, this is the biggest goal we face.”

Pollock dismissed claims that Australia has a mental edge over the Proteas.

“What’s gone before you shouldn’t really influence what takes place on the field, so our guys are focused on what they have to do,” Pollock said.

“As much as there might be a bit of a mental battle going on out on the field, you try to put that behind you and concentrate on the ball.”

Pollock said the pressure of the situation has only helped the team in the long run.—AFP/Reuters