Fitness status of Pollock and Klusener (3 November 1998)

3 November 1998

Fitness status of Pollock and Klusener

By Ken Borland

Natal all-rounders Shaun Pollock and Lance Klusener should be available for South Africa's first Test against the West Indies from November 26, with both strike bowlers looking to be back in the thick of things in SuperSport Series matches this month.

While both were bowling in the Kingsmead nets yesterday, Klusener is in the Natal team to play Griqualand West in their SuperSport Series opener from Friday, while Pollock will rest up over the weekend.

The last week has seen the pain in Pollock's lower back alleviate to a great extent and both he and Natal director of playing affairs Graham Ford are confident he will be able to play for Natal next week and keep his Wanderers appointment with the West Indians at the end of the month.

"I could have been in the side for this weekend but a decision was made to keep me on the shelf for just a little while longer," Pollock said yesterday.

The problem with the injury was that it constantly evaded complete diagnosis but was a ligament strain rather than anything structural. Pollock said he kept aggravating it by trying to come back too early, but that he was now "feeling much better" after completing a course of anti-inflammatories.

Ford was relieved to report yesterday that South Africa's star all-rounder would be back in action soon. "There's been a huge improvement every day this week and he's back on track and feeling very cheerful. I'd say it's pretty certain he'll be fighting fit for the first Test."

Klusener, a DHS old boy, bowled for Natal B in a limited-overs match at the start of the week, but, having been out for four months, general fitness remains his greatest obstacle. Although he will be used as a bowler against Griquas, it will be in short spells and he won't be charging in as he used to before the ankle surgery.

Klusener said yesterday that "At this stage I think I'll be ready for proper bowling in a four-day game by the end of the month."

Providing there are no further setbacks and with the excellent help of the Natal medical team, Klusener could well be making his bow at the Wanderers as well. The combative all-rounder has three SuperSport Series matches against Griquas, Gauteng and Border in which to produce his fearsome best deliveries.

Source :: Ken Borland