Pollocks future

[John]

For a couple of years people have noted a decline in Pollocks pace. His bowling performance against Australia raises the concern. He got 8 wickets at over 50 runs per wicket. Its time to look at the role he plays in the side. Should he open the bowling anymore?
Should he bat futher up and bowl less?
Should he concentrate only on ODI's?
Or am I rushing to judgement?

[Rachael]

Let's face it.... the moment you get a pitch that's fit for Test cricket, Pollock comes just behind McGrath as the most desirable bowler on the planet. That said... on a batting paradise of a pitch... both look vulnerable.

SA should just play to their strengths: prepare home pitches that give Pollock the opportunity to be almost unplayable. Sri Lanka prepare pitches for Murali and every other side seeks to maximise home advantage.... so SA should do the same. If SA can win all the home series then they can just stack the batting and not worry about away victories: dominating on the subcontinent and in Australia is likely to be beyond them no matter WHO they pick given their weakness in the slow-bowling department.... so just stack the batting and rely on the fact that few pitches in these countries are prepared for a result.



The one positive move SA could make is in the wicket-keeping department: at present, Pollock bowls no quicker than Bedser used to bowl.... and Evans ALWAYS stood up to Bedser. Iron Hands Boucher isn't capable of making that pay off... but a decent gloveman could be used to massively enhance Pollock's threat - given the current situation this HAS to be the way forward for SA.

[flanflinger]

Originally Posted by Rachael

Let's face it.... the moment you get a pitch that's fit for Test cricket,

That would be any pitch apart from the Jamaican pitch in 1998!!

http://uk.cricinfo.com/link_to_datab...02FEB1998.html

You cannot have your opening bowler only able to bowl on good bowling pitches to get wickets!! The fact is, Rachael, that as long as the pitch is not dangerous, then it is fit for Test cricket!! Whether it is a good batting pitch, a raging turner or a pitch with good pace and carry.

The greatest players adapt to the pitch, not have the pitch adapted for them.

The fact is that Pollock has lost a little bit of zip of the pitch and is looking less and less effective.

[Ninjaman]

Originally Posted by flanflinger

That would be any pitch apart from the Jamaican pitch in 1998!!

http://uk.cricinfo.com/link_to_datab...02FEB1998.html

You cannot have your opening bowler only able to bowl on good bowling pitches to get wickets!! The fact is, Rachael, that as long as the pitch is not dangerous, then it is fit for Test cricket!! Whether it is a good batting pitch, a raging turner or a pitch with good pace and carry.

The greatest players adapt to the pitch, not have the pitch adapted for them.

The fact is that Pollock has lost a little bit of zip of the pitch and is looking less and less effective.

Actually, that pitch WAS fit for Test cricket.......according to those who seem to obsess over ball over bat

But I agree, Pollock is on the way down and has been for quite some time.

The mark of a good player is what he can do when the situation is not in his favour.

[Paoli]

Mmm Pollock can still be handy for South Africa IMO. Doubtless he is on his way down though.

On Boxing Day, he took the first three wickets, removing Hayden, Jaques and Hodge and paving the way for the likes of Ntini, Nel and Kallis to complete the carnage.

[Mr Cricket]

If Pollack goes RSA are going to be a bad team. They are losing bowlers they got now what if Pollack goes Nel and Nitini. Like I said RSA and the whole africa should become a whole team team AFRICA.

[flanflinger]

Originally Posted by uham

Like I said RSA and the whole Africa should become a whole team team AFRICA.

Uham,

Can't agree with you on this one. South Africa are not going to turn into a bad team over night, they have some quality players and deserve to be a Test team in their own right (even if Pollock was to retire - which I don't think he will)

If you created an African team how many Kenyans, Namibians and even Zimbabweans would get in? This would just stunt the growth in those nations.*

SA have a great history, they were the Third Test team, the have a superb First-Class set up, they are one of the candidates to take over from Australia (if they can find one more middle-order bat, a long term opening bowler and a good spinner) and I really don't see that they are in as bigger hole as you seem to think they are.


*Although Zimbabwe is doing some growth stunting on it's own at the moment

[trojan!]

Pollock has definitely dropped in pace, but i still think he is a valueble player for the South Africans.

[Paoli]

Originally Posted by flanflinger

South Africa are not going to turn into a bad team over night, they have some quality players and deserve to be a Test team in their own right (even if Pollock was to retire - which I don't think he will)

SA have a great history, they were the Third Test team, the have a superb First-Class set up, they are one of the candidates to take over from Australia (if they can find one more middle-order bat, a long term opening bowler and a good spinner) and I really don't see that they are in as bigger hole as you seem to think they are.

And I also don't think that Pollock is quite as important as uham suggests. I've gotta be honest, though he had one good spell this series which shows he can still be good, the highlight of his bowling was listening to Toto's immortal classic "Africa" at the ground before he came charging in.

If Pollock gets it spot on, as he did for the first part of Boxing Day, he is a handful. If not, at his pace, easy pickings.

He'll still end up with 500+ test wickets.

Africa Team- No Way. I mean, why fix it if it aint broke for South Africa. They can become the top test team, and ff, that extra middle order batsman may well be Jacques Rudolph. The spinner could also be Johan Botha, just see how he handles this trauma.

[Vrock]

Pollock can still be a threat but as many of you have said: he has lost pace and also he seems to be very dangerous on less occasions now. He is also no mug with bat. He certainly doesn't have the impact now that he once did.