from Cricket365 (thanks Jenny)
Warwickshire professional and South African captain Shaun Pollock looks ahead at the international and tells us how his county experiences will help him in the international arena. And when Shaun writes home, naturally Cricket365 deliver the letter.
South Africa's Test and One-Day captain Shaun Pollock was unable to complete his
maiden County season with Warwickshire in 1996 because of an ankle injury. But when he was
offered the chance to go back this season - for a second time - he jumped at it.
"I always wanted to go back," said Pollock in conversation with Cricket365.
"The international season ahead of us is not that strenuous and I saw it as a window
of opportunity for me to return to Warwickshire."
Pollock admits that another reason for him returning was the chance for him to work
primarily on his batting as well as working on a few aspects of his bowling.
"I've had more opportunities to bat this season than I would've had playing for South
Africa," pointed out the man, who boasts two Test centuries - one official (against
the West Indies) and one unofficial (against India).
"I've batted at number three in the One-Day competition and at number six in the
Championship."
Does that mean we will see Pollock, a clean, crisp hitter of the ball, batting higher up
the order when South Africa's international season gets into the swing of things?
"I doubt it, our top-order is rather settled," said Pollock, rather modestly.
"Sure, I have thought about it, but with my bowling and the captaincy, my plate's a
bit full at the moment."
When Pollock signed up with Warwickshire, an agreement was made between his County and the
United Cricket Board that Pollock, who, like many fast-bowlers around the world, has had
the odd injury concern over the years, would not be over-bowled in the four-day
competition.
"It's wise," said Pollock of his restriction, "there is no way I would want
to jeopardise South African cricket in any way."
When Pollock played for Warwickshire the last time he was a young man, who had just come
off his first season of international cricket, and he was all on his own. This time he is
a seasoned Test and One-Day player - one of the best in world cricket - while he also has
a 'partner-in-crime' in the shape of his wife, Trish.
"I'm a lot more relaxed now as a cricketer," admitted the Proteas' skipper.
"[And] it's been brilliant having Trish around this time. When you're on your own you
tend to be too self-focused, but having someone to share all my experiences with around
England has been great.
"Trish and I have been given a car and we've also got a very comfortable flat in a
lovely area," he continued. "We've got a health-spa in the complex with a gym, a
sauna and a swimming pool, which has been very relaxing for us."
Pollock got his first County Cricket stint off to an amazing start when, during his first
match for Warwickshire, the flame-haired Natalian picked up four wickets in four
deliveries in only his third over.
"That was an amazing start," reflected Pollock, who this season slammed 111 runs
off only 88 balls (including six sixes and eight fours) in a Norwich Union League match
against Worcestershire.
"As the overseas professional one is conscious of the need to justify your place in
the side right from the start. I couldn't have asked for a better start back then."
Pollock, who has just finished touring with South Africa in Morocco, will return to
Birmingham after the triangular tournament with Sri Lanka and Pakistan. He will spend two
more weeks playing for Warwickshire before re-joining his South African team-mates for the
ICC mini-World Cup in Sri Lanka.
"This is a big season for us," enthused Pollock, who earlier this month made a
trip back to South Africa to attend a pre-tournament camp, which was hosted by new coach
Eric Simons.
"Eric has put a lot of planning into the season," added Pollock, "[and] we
have the same goals for South African cricket."