from supercricket.co.za by Neil Manthorp May 31 2002 (thanks Jenny)
Former South Africa coach Bob Woolmer has bucked the trend of criticism against Shaun Pollock's decision to play county cricket for Warwickshire this season by insisting the national captain will benefit from the extra workload.
Selection convenor Omar Henry has made little secret of his regret that
Pollock is not resting at home during the off season and UCB chief executive
Gerald Majola tried to persuade Pollock to cancel the deal when he became
troubled with niggling injuries towards the end of the season against Australia.
"Shaun is working hard at every aspect of his game and he is also working
in the gym to strengthen his body to prevent those little niggles from arising
in the first place," Warwickshire coach Woolmer told Supercricket.
"He knows where the weaknesses in his game are and he is concentrating on
them so that when he returns to the national team he will be a fitter and even
better cricketer than he was when he arrived here," Woolmer said.
Pollock has told team mates in England that he is desperately keen to retain the
South African captaincy for the season ahead and has found the last month
frustrating and uncomfortable while the National Cricket Committee and the UCB
General Council decide his fate.
"I hope he is retained as captain," Woolmer said, "but one thing
I'm certain of is that he is not harming himself, his form or the national team
by playing here. He is benefitting them."