Dubai: Shaun Pollock is confident that the South African team may soon shed their choker tag.
Speaking to Gulf News, the former South Africa team captain and allrounder said: "There are too many tournaments coming up for South Africa like the Twenty20 World Cup and the 2011 World Cup. We should get it right in one of these tournaments. If we can manage it once then I am sure the tag will be forgotten forever."
Pollock, who is now a television commentator, travels to almost all venues. Talking about the just concluded South African tour to India, he said: "India did not play well in the first Test because they did not have [Rahul] Dravid, [VVS] Laxman and Yuvraj [Singh]. They were an under strength team for that Test and South Africa dominated from the start and put them under pressure. It was a good start but India fought back in their conditions in the next. However, for South Africa the most important tour will be next year to the subcontinent for the World Cup."
Pollock has played alongside Hashim Amla, who hogged the limelight with splendid knocks in India.
"Amla and I have played for Natal. I have watched him grow and he was remarkable in this series. He was in the form of his life. Amla has really worked hard and is a very disciplined individual. He is reaping the rewards now," said Pollock.
Coaching possibility
When asked whether he would be interested in coaching the South African team in the light of Mickey Arthur having quit the job, Pollock said: "I am not interested in coaching. Corrie Van Zyl is the coach now and it is an opportunity for him. He has been a great success with the domestic team Eagles. It is nice to get this opportunity and I am sure he will give 100 percent and produce good results."
