from supercricket.co.za June 25 2002 (thanks Jenny)
Eric Simons this weekend rid Shaun Pollock of the albatross around his neck and took the
disciplinary whip from his hands. Simons, the national cricket coach on Tuesday returned
from London where he spent some five hours in discussion with the South African captain, Pollock.
The new coach watched the Benson & Hedges final in which Pollock took the wicket of the English
captain, Nasser Hussain and hit 34 runs as No 5 batsman. Simons also visited the South African
quick Allan Donald in Birmingham after the match.
Simons wanted Pollock to join the SA bowling camp on 17 July, but the national captain would only
be re-united with his team at the start of the first international tournament, a triangular series
between South Africa, Sri Lanka and Pakistan, that will take place in Morocco in August. Pakistan
recently beat Australia.
"I want Shaun to concentrate on the captaincy and his game. I would deal with the internal issues
like discipline that distracted him in the past. He can leave the planning, the management and the
driving of the SA team to me," Simons said.
Simons was very happy with his meeting with Pollock since they share the same vision and agree on
all aspects of the game. No compromises were necessary between them.
Pollock has been criticised in the past for allegedly having a nonchalant attitude and not being too
excited about leading a tough fitness programme as captain.
In this regard, Simons said he was in charge of the fitness of the South African team from now on.
He earlier said he was not overly impressed by the fitness levels of the current SA bowlers and
added that he would ensure that it was lifted before the Moroccan tournament.
"We must remember that we are taking on Pakistan and they recntly beat Australia," Simons said.
Simons was quite happy with Donald's fitness. Donald has been among the wickets early for his
adopted county, Worcestershire.