Phasing out Pollock was a turning point for SA

I recall Mickey Arthur getting a lot of criticism from SA fans and maybe their press contingent when he decided to tell Pollock that he may not get picked too often for tests, perhaps only in case of injury or on a horses for courses basis. That seemed to prompt his retirement.

It was heresy to some SA fans but I believe the right decision and Hilditch and co. should take a leaf out of the books of the SA hierarchy for changing direction.

They identified that they needed a pace quartet (including Kallis) which could take twenty wickets if they were to go the next step up the test ladder. They wanted to unleash Ntini, Steyn and Morkel on the opposition with Kallis and Harris providing the balance.

They've never really looked back since then.

Pollock was a great cricketer and they still miss his batting but he was struggling to penetrate with the ball. Maybe also he was associated with some of the baggage that SA carried against us.


Australia should identify players to take us in a new positive direction NOW!

Polly got out at exactly the right time.

Yeah good call.

It has also saved us the bloodletting seen in Aus and India.

So true!

I fully supported the idea at the time

Interesting point.

I'd still play Polly over Harris and probably Ntini too.

Lara Lara Laughs wrote:I'd still play Polly over Harris and probably Ntini too.

Ntini had to be retained for quota purposes. Harris gets wickets because most think or know he's excrement and it's handy for them to be gifted scalps. They do miss Pollock's batting. There is also a feeling that Sooky feels more a leader of the team with Pollock no longer there.

Planet Pakistan will be over the moon with Steyn's performance in Melbourne.

Red wrote:

Lara Lara Laughs wrote:I'd still play Polly over Harris and probably Ntini too.

Ntini had to be retained for quota purposes. Harris gets wickets because most think or know he's excrement and it's handy for them to be gifted scalps. They do miss Pollock's batting. There is also a feeling that Sooky feels more a leader of the team with Pollock no longer there.

Planet Pakistan will be over the moon with Steyn's performance in Melbourne.

It was quite predictable(the bowling part)

By far the best in the world.