End of an era as Pollock steps down (3 April 1999)

3 April 1999

End of an era as Pollock steps down

Trevor Chesterfield

JOHANNESBURG (South Africa) - After overseeing South Africa's rise from near obscurity to a world force in eight years Peter pollock has decided it is time to quit centre stage and withdraw quietly into the wings of the game he has served with credit.

In his playing days a Test fast bowler of some repute he vacates the post of national convener knowing that his son, Shaun, will carry the name into the new millennium with as equal forthright bowling skills as did the "old man". Pollock (jnr), however, is few notches up the batting ladder of success.

The old man was, of course, part of the great South African side of the 1960s and, but for the intransigence of the minority government of the apartheid era, would have most likely been the first South African bowler to take 200 Test wickets. Not that it bothers him too much.

Not one to shy from controversy if there was a need to face detractors, he was after all but one of five men, and when the panel sat down in 1991, under the then chairmanship of Peter van der Merwe, to announce the 1992 World Cup squad it was a case of biting the bullet. Out went Clive Rice and Jimmy Cook, also discarded were favourites Tim Shaw and Clive Eksteen who had also toured India.

Kepler Wessels, appointed as captain, told the selectors what was needed. When the initial squad of 25 was announced and Rice, Cook and even Peter Kirsten were missing, the 'quake in terms of protest registered more than 10 on the scale of protest measuring from one to 10. Young fit men with all-round attributes.

"It was serious lesson and we (the selectors) all learnt a lot from that first season," Pollock said yesterday. "I admit that I am leaving with a sense of sadness. But I have to step down at some stage and I think that time is after this World Cup."

So, like Bob Woolmer, he moves out on June 20. Behind him, however, he leaves a legacy of shrewd planning and thinking in conjunction with Woolmer and the team's captain, Hansie Cronje. It has resulted in a remarkable record in his, and Woolmer's, final season together.

"I enjoyed working with the other selectors," he admitted. "I think it is also a tribute that we have had few changes to the panel in the time I have been in charge. This team, however, is possibly the easiest to pick. Most players have good Test records and that to me is an important factor.

"I came into selection on the wings of controversy and leave, hopefully, having been involved in choosing a side which will make all South Africans proud of their efforts," he said.

It was a faint hint, but the suggestion is that it is a side which can lift the Emirate Airlines Trophy at Lord's on June 20.

Tributes for the way Pollock has handled the portfolio at convener of selectors has come from a number of quarters, one was Ray White, president of the United Cricket Board, another from Dr Ali Bacher, managing director of the UCB, and other members of the selection panel.

Although the five members of the panel step down at the end of the World Cup the UCB executive will, a few weeks later, name the five to take over. Pollock apart there could be a second change as Rice, now committed to a coaching post with Nottinghamshire for three years, might be missing. Rushdie Majiet, who was part of the panel in 1992, could take over as convener.

Source :: Trevor Chesterfield, Pretoria News