Pollock handed dreaded vote of confidence by SA chiefs
Thursday, March 6 2003 20:57 Hrs (IST)

Johannesburg: South African chiefs on Thursday left skipper Shaun Pollock wondering whether he still has a future at the helm of the national team after the World Cup flop.

Although publicly backing Pollock, chief selector Omar Henry also admitted the search for a long-term successor was underway with Neil McKenzie and Graeme Smith both being tipped as frontrunners for the job in the long-term.

"I want to make it quite clear that we back Shaun completely," said Henry. "We have absolutely no plans to replace Shaun as captain of the national side."

Henry however pointed out that the selectors had to provide for the future. "Shaun is fully aware that we are looking to groom captains for the future," Henry told the SAPA news agency.

"Shaun realises that the process has begun and he has given us his views and input." Henry conceded that by captaining the South Africa 'A' team, both McKenzie and Smith had been identified as future leaders.

It is understood that one of the two may be given a chance to captain a national side as soon as next month when the A' team goes to Australia in April and the seniors play in Sharjah after the World Cup.

"We're going to use both Australia and Sharjah to select the touring side for England later in the summer," said Henry.

Copyright AFP 2001

Extras:
South Africa lost because of its own mistakes: Duckworth