Pollock out for revenge

Profiles / Editor / 24 April 2007 / Leave a Comment

South Africa paceman Shaun Pollock has re-thought his tactics to try and counter the threat of Australia's Matthew Hayden at the top of the order.

The 33-year-old has not been at his best in the Caribbean and has taken just seven wickets at an average of 40.14 in the tournament to date.

He finished with 0-83 from 10 overs when the two sides met earlier in the competition, as Hayden hammered him to all parts of the St Kitts ground, en route to the fastest century in World Cup history, to set the tone for the Aussies' total of 377-6 in their 50 overs.

Pollock has built his career on a miserly line and length and has taken over 350 one-day wickets but has been unable to stem the flow of runs during the initial powerplays in the West Indies.

Proteas' coach Mickey Arthur has made it clear that the former skipper will be immediately replaced by Andre Nel if he suffers a similar fate at the hands of Hayden on Wednesday.

The veteran all-rounder has been reviewing his performances in the competition and has worked hard at ways to stop the Queenslander running away with the game up front.

"I have some new tactics this time," he said. "Last time when we played them, it was early in the tournament and I don't think we really understood the wickets.

"I am going to try some things in the nets over the next few days.

Reports suggested that Pollock was going to give up the new ball in favour of Nel and bowl his spell in the middle of the innings but the former Warwickshire man wants another crack at the talented Aussie.

"Hayden has been the dominant batsman of the tournament, and it will be a great challenge," he added. "But I would still like to take the new ball. It is a role and a challenge I enjoy."

Matched to small stakes at 6, Pollock is now trading at 210 to be the leading wicket-taker at the end of the tournament with Glenn McGrath (22 victims) the 1.7 favourite, and Sri Lankan spin-wizard Muttiah Muralitharan (19) on offer at 6.2.

Australia spinner Brad Hogg has, surprisingly, claimed 19 scalps and trades at 10.5 to overtake his rivals during the remainder of the event.