Pollock in doubt for Sri Lanka
2006-06-08 14:07
Johannesburg - Shaun Pollock could miss
South Africa's first Test in Sri Lanka to attend the birth of
his second child.
The all-rounder, who already has a two-year-old daughter
with his wife Trish, said on Thursday that the birth
could clash with the first Test starting in Colombo on July 27
because the tour dates had been brought forward.
"We had planned it for before the tour started, but now
they've moved the tour earlier. The caesarean will take place on either July 21 or 25 and obviously I'll be trying to get to Sri Lanka straight afterwards.
"I might miss the first Test, but Cricket South Africa are
happy because it really wasn't our fault with the tour dates
changing," added Pollock, who flew home from the 2003 tour of
England for the birth of his first child.
Haroon Lorgat, the convenor of the national selection panel,
confirmed that he was not concerned about Pollock's possible
absence.
"There's only a very small probability of him not making it
in time for the first Test. We depart on July 19 and the birth
is a day or two later, after which Shaun will leave," Lorgat said.
"But it's not an issue because we'll have back-up in the
squad and I am keen to rotate and rest players," Lorgat added.
"All our planning suggests Shaun will only be a day or two
late though."
Top batsman Jacques Kallis has already withdrawn from the
tour as he is recovering from elbow surgery, meaning South
Africa could be without both their leading run-scorer and
leading wicket-taker for the first Test.
South Africa and Sri Lanka will play two Tests, with a
five-match triangular series with India completing the tour.
- Reuters