from go4cricket.com August 2000 (thanks Sarah)
Post Hansiegate, responsibilities on new South African skipper Shaun
Pollock have been immense. Constantly under the media glare, often for the wrong
reasons, Pollock leads a rebuilding process for the South Africans. He spoke to
Anuja Singh in Singapore in an exclusive interview.
The following are excerpts.
It is almost a decade since South Africa returned to international cricket
after apartheid-induced isolation. How do you look back on these years?
I think we have done very well. It is not easy coming back into international cricket after 21 years, but we have performed well on every stage in all forms of the game. My countrymen can certainly be proud of our team for the way they have performed. Credit should also be given to administrators, coaches and others who have helped shape the South African side.
There is a new rivalry developing in world cricket --- between South Africa
and Australia --- that has already caught the imagination of fans around the
globe. What are your comments
It is always great to play the Aussies. They love to play the game very hard, so do we. In Australia-South Africa games, no quarters are asked for and none given. I guess fans love to watch such needle contests. That is what one-day cricket is all about.
A tied game in the World Cup semis and now one more in Melbourne. Would you
say, the Australians are the ones to beat as far as the South Africans are
concerned?
To say that would be unfair to other sides. Let us say we enjoy competing
with them. Beating Australia gives us a lot of satisfaction. The two side are a
lot similar in many ways. The wickets in Australia are similar to the ones back
home, we like to do our homework before every game like the Aussies do and both
side hate to lose. If you look at the win-loss record in the matches between the
two countries, you will see it is pretty even and that is how we see it
remaining in the near future.
Does that tied game in the World Cup still rankle?
In a way it does. After all it was the World Cup and at stake was a place in the final. But I view it as a positive thing. It helps the players to produce that bit extra.
How difficult was it to take over from Hansie Cronje?
It wasn't very easy. I was the vice-captain all right, but the circumstances were difficult. However, I had the support of the whole team and most of the country. Although it was a difficult task, I had a full squad of dedicated players under me who rose to the occasion and played some very good cricket.
Why doesn't the South African side have too many superstars?
Prior to our ban from international cricket, we had quite a few --- Barry Richards, Mike Proctor, Graeme Pollock, Eddie Barlow and so on. As I said, coming back after two decades wasn't easy and it would have taken us some time to throw up a few top stars. We have Allan Donald, Jonty Rhodes and now Lance Klusener. And I am sure others will follow.
Has this lack of superstars helped you to settle down as a captain?
May be you have a point there, but we have always played a team game since
our return to international cricket. We have tried to put in the best
combination, expecting all 11 to chip in. Personally, I am happy as long as I am
convinced the individuals under me are giving 100 per cent. I only look at the
total team effort. That has been the key to our success.
What are your immediate goals as a captain?
Well, we need to do a little bit of rebuilding. A couple of things have to be put in place. Coach Graham Ford and myself are already at it. Right now we are looking to do well in every tournament we take part or every Test match we feature in. Every match is a new goal. We are now setting ourselves small targets and trying to meet them.
What is the general feeling among South African players about the tour of
India earlier this year?
We have mixed reactions really. Not many sides have beaten India in India in back to back Test matches. But unfortunately people will remember the tour for a wrong reason. It takes a bit of sheen away from our performance. As players we know that we had given our best on the tour. The rest is history.