Pollock likely to be dropped for the first Test

Slower subcontinental conditions have made the South African team management consider the dropping of their most senior bowler, Shaun Pollock © AFP

Shaun Pollock is likely to be dropped from the South Africa team for the first Test against Pakistan after the team management decided to rely on faster bowlers for matches on the subcontinental wickets.

"We have been speaking to Polly about bowling less on the subcontinent since we were in Ireland in June," Mickey Arthur, the South Africa coach, told News 24. "We feel the faster bowlers will get more assistance [from the wicket]."

Pollock averages 130kph to 135kph while Dale Steyn consistently bowls at speeds above 140kph and Makhaya Ntini also clocks 135kph and more. Between 1997, when he first toured the subcontinent, and 2006, Pollock has played 17 matches in the region and taken 60 wickets at 23.18 against the four sides - India (13), Pakistan (18), Bangladesh (7) and Sri Lanka (22). In comparison, Ntini has taken 28 wickets from 11 Tests at 39.42 between 2000 and 2006.

Paul Harris, the left-arm spinner and Morné Morkel look certain to make the XI. "We will then select two of Ntini, André Nel and Steyn to complete the team," Arthur said. "It's a chance for Dale and Morné to show what they can do. It will also help strengthen our depth in bowling.

"He [Pollock] is a proud player and he still believes he has a role to play in the team," Arthur said.

Pollock, who is South Africa's highest Test wicket-taker with 416 wickets in 107 Tests, has been excluded from the team for the ongoing warm-up match against Patron's XI.

The first Test of the two-match series starts on October 1 in Karachi.