from Inside Edge season preview 2001-02 (thanks Caite)
Australia and South Africa appear to share a similar approach to the game.
Is that a fair observation?
We definitely play as competitively as each other and we play the game as it
should be played. The guys get out there and play it hard, but fair. Off the
field we enjoy socialising with the Australians, and that's an important part of
the game. At the same time we live in a professional era and every player knows
the limits to that. I don't have a beer after the game. I don't like the taste
so I've never taken it up.
Knowing your players as people, not just as cricketers, is important too,
isn't it?
It's vital. I think to get the best out of each personality you have to
understand their situation, their background, their home life. As a team, each
of the11 guys has to be fully focused and working towards that common goal. We
have 15 characters in the squad and each of them are amusing in their own way. There's
never a dull moment, that's for sure.
Have you ever been hunting with 'Zulu' [Lance Klusener]?
No, I've been fishing with him a few times. He loves to fish. There's a
couple of boys who've been out on the hunt with him. I don't know whether it
helps their cricket but whatever takes their mind off things and helps them
relax away from the game is OK by me. Personally, I like to play golf and read
the odd John Grisham novel.
You're a hero in your homeland, having pulled a team and a country out of
a very dark chapter. How does that make you feel?
I've had a few comments voicing support for me and the team. Sure, we went
through a very rough patch, but we're back on track now and what's past is past.
What matters is what happens on the field.
Have you stayed in touch with Hansie Cronje since he was banned for life?
I've spoken to him from time to time just to see how he's going. He's
getting back on track now. It's been very, very hard for Hansie but I think now
he's trying to get back on his feet and get on with his life.
Should he have been allowed to return and play a role in South African
cricket?
Yes, I think Hansie has a lot to offer. Anyone who's been in the game and
been a captain as long as he was will obviously have a great deal to contribute
and I think he definitely could be used to pass on that information to the
younger players coming through the ranks. For him to be totally discarded would
be a waste of vital information. Basically, everything we do is derived from
Hansie. He did a great job for us in that regard as captain. I don't think he
would want to disrupt things or change the way we play if he was allowed back.
Whenever he's spoken to us he's only ever offered support and assured us that
we're going the right way.
Have South Africans forgiven him?
Yeah, I think people are over what happened and we've all looked to move on.
From a team perspective, everyone's sick and tired of hearing about the Hansie
experience. We heard a lot of rumours about match-fixing and corruption over the
years but you never think it will impact on your own country, let alone your own
captain.
What about the team? Are you out of the dark?
We always said there was going to be consequences to what has happened but
as a team we've just tried to get on the park and concentrate on the cricket.
Hopefully by doing that we can put it behind us. The only way people are going
to have their faith returned in the game and support you again is to see your
actions on the field.
Do you still enjoy it or has the match-fixing mess taken away some of your
passion for the game?
I still enjoy it as much as ever. There were more advantages than
disadvantages to having the name Pollock. A lot more people took notice of me
growing up. They still do.