Polly worries about top order

2008-06-29 22:03

Cape Town - Former Proteas player Shaun Pollock believes there is little to choose between England and South Africa in the upcoming Test series but worries about South Africa's top order after Smith's injury and Neil Mckenzie's poor form for Durham.

McKenzie has scored just 133 runs for his county in recent times and will have to adapt quickly in the United Kingdom.

On Sunday in the Proteas opening tour match against Somerset he and was out for a golden duck.

"Graeme had a fantastic tour last time out and Neil has played for years for Durham and knows what conditions to expect. Hashim Amla hasn't played in England yet, but he has practised hard against the bowling machine in conditions where the ball has swung," Pollock told Sondag.

"Jacques Kallis has a lot of experience and the South Africna team should do well because Ashwell Prince knows the conditions well as well.

"Most of the players have played County cricket and Paul Harris's experience for Warwickshire should make him a major attacking weapon."

Darryl Cullinan believes South African offspinner Paul Harris will hold the key to a Test series victory for the Proteas in England.

Cullinan sees Harris as the crucial cog in the Proteas arsenal ahead of next month's Test series and believes England will try and attack the spinner.

"They are going to attack him and in that way stop Graeme Smith from rotating his own bowling attack. That will force the bowling attack to bowl longer," Cullinan told Afrikaans Sunday newspaper Sondag.

Cullinan says South Africa should use the advantage they are given as England do not start Test matches well.

"They aren't fast out of the starting blocks but they can pace themselves well . They don't walk over you but they are tough and intense. Touring teams normally start well at Lords, which is a dream start for any team but they drop out when the tour gets too long. This is exactly because the English pace themselves very well."

The first Test starts on July 10.

- SAPA