from SASI March 1998 - (thanks Cindy)
Shaun Pollock tells ROBERT HOUWING about delight and despair Down Under,
the burden of having that distinguished surname and South Africa's looming '
home' Test at Edgbaston.
A personal triumph in Adelaide, no team spoils to celebrate as you left
Australia - you must have felt a peculiar mix of emotions on that weary flight
home?
Yes, the dominant feeling was disappointment; the fact that we'd played two
and a half months of some really good cricket, but sadly not always at the right
times. I felt we had done enough to win at Adelaide, so that was a shade
depressing. I can't deny that it was nice, though, to finish the tour on a
bright note myself . I hadn't done anything hugely special before, so hitting a
big high in the final Test was welcome.
And l'm not the sort to dwell on disappointment - the key in international sport
is not to let things like that linger. A few days off before the first Pakistan
Test did come in handy, though. A chance to watch the golf (the SA Open), swim
in the sea - just do the things normal human beings do!
There's no lack of needle between South Africa and Australia; were you always
able to enjoy a drink with them after the games.?
The Aussies are very good that way. They play the same way as we do; it's no
place for the meek out there but we could always go into each others'
dressing-rooms afterwards. l get on particularly well with Andy Bichel and coach
Geoff Marsh, but most of the boys are pretty decent.
There is every reason to regard you now as South Africa's top all-rounder.
Does this put extra pressure on you?
Not really; I am not worried about labels, although it's only natural people will hand them out. My philosophy is just to achieve maximum impact with both ball and bat. l am conscious of the fact that in improving my batting I must not diminish the emphasis on my bowling. Pace-wise I'm pretty much back to where I was when first played against England, although you learn to modify your action with injuries. I can swing the ball more now. And in the old days I could only bowl one length.
Your father is a national selector and if that isn't enough you carry the legendary Pollock surname. Sometimes you must wish you were Shaun Smith.?
I suppose so, occasionally, but generally it doesn't bother me. The main problem is the leg-pulling I get from teammates. 'So when is your mother going to give you the nod for the side, Shaun?' Things like that. But my name's Pollock, and I'm saddled with it!
What challenge in the year or so ahead are you most relishing?
The thought of playing on home turf again after all that time in Australia was appealing, so my mind is keenly focused on winning against Pakistan and Sri Lanka. Beyond that, the tour of England is undoubtedly a big one; going to where it all began for the game. Having played at county level I now know some of the English pitches well and there are others among us with similar experience. We've been discussing the first Test at Edgbaston (starting 4 June) and reckon it could be our first 'home' Test on foreign soil, when you consider that Allan Donald, Brian McMillan and myself have all played for Warwickshire and Bob Woolmer coached there. So it may not be quite the hostile environment you might expect; the Birmingham fans may get mixed up over who to cheer for!
Going into the next century do you realistically imagine yourself playing for a side branded the Test champions of the world?
For sure, we can get there. Despite what happened with the World Series
finals against Australia, we are probably the best one-day team, and we're
getting progressively wiser when it comes to Tests. I know we can't keep saying
we are learning - but the truth is we are. We are taking in more and more
information and knowledge and really, it's only a matter of time.