Pollock out with achilles injury

[Danny]

A chronic injury that has flared up in the past two series against England and Zimbabwe. In reality Pollock is in doubt for the whole Test Series against the West Indies.

Pollock out of first Test
By Telford Vice in Durban
March 23, 2005
FOXSPORTS

SHAUN Pollock's ankle injury has ruled him out of the first Test against West Indies which starts in Georgetown, Guyana on March 31.

"Shaun has a chronic, deep tendonitis injury caused by over-use and is taking a little bit longer to respond to treatment which is not uncommon with these types of injuries," South Africa physio Shane Jabaar said today.

The United Cricket Board (UCB) said in a statement that seam bowler Pollock would remain at home in Durban to undergo treatment and a rehabilitation programme.

"He will be monitored on a constant basis and should he show sufficient improvement and be able to bowl symptom-free, a decision on when he will join the tour will be taken at that time," Jabaar added.

The UCB did not name a replacement for Pollock.

Pollock has struggled with the injury since England's tour to South Africa earlier in the summer and he missed all three one-day internationals and one of the two Tests South Africa played against touring Zimbabwe.

South Africa's other injury concerns yielded better news, with fast bowlers Charl Langeveldt and Andre Nel passing fitness tests on lower back and hamstring injuries respectively.

Jabaar said allrounder Jacques Kallis was "80 per cent fit" following his hip injury.

South Africa leave for the Caribbean on Wednesday.

[injuryupdate]

Hard to work out why he would be suffering from over-use. What harm could there be bowling 5000 overs of Fast-Medium over 10 seasons?

[Danny]

Can bowl pain free but lacks the match fitness. Will be an interesting selection. He doesn't have a bad record (377 wickets)

Pollock selection dilemma
From correspondents in Bridgetown, South Africa
April 20, 2005

SOUTH Africa must decide whether to risk selecting Shaun Pollock for the third Test against the West Indies, which starts in Bridgetown on Thursday.

All rounder Pollock has missed South Africa's last three Tests and three one-day internationals because of chronic inflammation in his left ankle but he joined the squad on Monday night.

He bowled without obvious discomfort at net practice on Tuesday.

"My ankle feels better with every ball I bowl, but it's not my decision," Pollock told reporters.

"There isn't much I can accomplish in the two days before the Test, but for the selectors to be able to see me bowl might ease the decision they have to make," he said.

With 377 wickets and 3120 runs in 93 matches, Pollock would normally be an automatic selection but aside from the risk of him breaking down South Africa may not want to tamper with the combination that won the second Test by eight wickets in Port of Spain.

Strike bowler Makhaya Ntini took 13 wickets for 132 in Trinidad, the best return by a South African in Test cricket.

Pollock has played three domestic 20 overs matches since returning from injury.

"There was nothing more I could do at home," the 31-year-old said.

"I still have a little discomfort, but it's not going to go by the end of the summer.

"It's either have a go now, or take the rest of the season off."

The traditionally lively surface at Kensington Oval, venue for the third Test, may lead South Africa to choose an attack that does not feature Pollock.

"I remember from when we here last time (in the drawn test of 2001) that the pitch does a bit in the morning, and then tends to calm down," Pollock said.

"It was one of the nicer wickets we played on, it had some pace in it."

If Pollock is selected, it is likely to be at the expense of fast bowler Monde Zondeki.

Reuters