Donald ponders the Pollock question

Allan Donald is excited about the new look South African pace attack but he isn't sure what role Shaun Pollock, once it's spearhead and his former new-ball partner, has to play in it.

In particular Donald is excited about the emergence of Dale Steyn in the recent series win against New Zealand as a partner to the indefatigable Makhaya Ntini. Donald told the Supersport website, "Maybe it was a case of bringing him (Steyn) in too soon against England last season, but against New Zealand Dale Steyn has shown us what he can do. For the first time South Africa have two bowlers who can strike at 140 kmph-plus."

Together Ntini and Steyn took 36 wickets between them to lead South Africa to a comprehensive 2-0 series win against New Zealand. Stephen Fleming, the Kiwi captain, pointed to their success - and pace - as the major difference between the two sides. The pair also shared all ten wickets in the second innings of the first Test at Centurion when the tourists were dismissed for 120.

Their success, however, prompted questions of the role of Pollock, who was no longer taking the new ball. Donald pondered, "Shaun Pollock's role is the question. There are all sorts of rumours going around - should he play Test cricket, should they keep him in the squad even though he isn't playing every match, should they take him to Sri Lanka, should they take him to the World Cup?"

Pollock missed one Test through injury and only picked up five wickets in the two that he played against New Zealand. Though he was as miserly as ever, and more economical than both Ntini and Steyn, his strike rate (48 balls per wicket) was considerably lower than both. The performance is part of a recent pattern that has sparked debate about his role; in his last 20 Tests, Pollock has taken 64 wickets at over 33 and a strike rate as high as 74.5. He hasn't taken a single five-wicket innings haul or ten-wicket match haul.

Donald admitted it is a difficult situation, though he hinted that all hope was not lost just yet. "Those are tough questions. It is a serious issue, and it will become more serious as the months roll on. We've seen the selectors make a positive move with the new ball, and Shaun has fitted in beautifully."