from supercricket.co.za by Neil Manthorp January 30 2002
Shaun Pollock was the first to admit on Thursday that South Africa faced one
of their biggest weekends of cricket in recent years when they face New Zealand
and Australia at Perth's WACA ground on Friday and Sunday. "It is a
very big weekend for us, no doubt about that," Pollock said before adding
the good news: "Our destiny and fate is in our own hands. We're not reliant
on anybody else or their results - if we win then we're in the final, it's as
simple as that," Pollock said.
More good news came with the revelation that all 16 members of the squad are fit
and available for selection with Steve Elworthy, Charl Langeveldt and Justin
Kemp competing for a place in the XI ahead of one of the two spinners, Nicky
Boje or Justin Ontong.
"There does tend to be extra bounce at Perth so playing an extra seamer is
an obvious option. There doesn't tend to be much assistance for the spinners but
the discussion at the selection meeting this evening will sort all that out and
I'm sure we'll come up with a balanced line-up," Pollock said.
Victory in both matches will not only guarantee South Africa a place in the
finals but will almost certainly see them do so in first place on the three-team
log earning them R350 000. If they reach the finals in second place they will
earn R200 000. If they do not reach the final they will receive just R75 000.
Qualification may still be possible with just one victory from the two matches
but the permutations are complex and controversial, including the bizarre
scenario that Pollock's team could qualify if they beat New Zealand and then
lose heavily to the host nation, thereby conceding a bonus point and knocking
New Zealand out of the competition.
"Yes, I know all the permutations," Pollock said with a smile.
"But they don't matter if we just win!"