Pollock passed fit for Durban

Shaun Pollock's return is a major boost to South Africa © Getty Images

South Africa have received a major boost ahead of the second Test at Durban with the news that Shaun Pollock has been passed fit after coming through a net session without any reaction to his back problem. He missed the seven-wicket defeat at Cape Town and South Africa clearly suffered without his nagging accuracy.

In his absence Andre Nel, Makhaya Ntini, Andrew Hall and Jacques Kallis did a commendable job but the feeling was that Graeme Smith was always searching for the control offered by Pollock. With a full complement of pacemen available, South Africa could field an all-seam attack as they attempt to level the series.

The Kingsmead pitch is expected to offer pace and bounce, with batsmen likely to face a tough challenge on the first two days. In recent years it has become easier for batting the longer a game goes on, but with overcast and humid weather expected it could offer something to the bowlers throughout.

Graeme Smith, the South Africa captain, said after Cape Town that there was a belief in his side that they were closer than before to beating Australia, but there was not much evidence to back up his claim, with Australia superior in all departments. The fielding, an area South Africa pride themselves on, was especially disappointing with vital chances being spilled during the decisive stand of 154 between Matthew Hayden and Ricky Ponting.

Australia are unlikely to change the team that won at Cape Town, where they opted for a three-man pace attack and Shane Warne.