Pollock in doubt for Lanka Test

Shaun Pollock could miss South Africa’s first Test in Sri Lanka to attend the birth of his second child. The all-rounder, who already has a two-year-old daughter with his wife Trish, said on Thursday that the birth could clash with the first Test starting in Colombo on July 27 because the tour dates had been brought forward.

“We had planned it for before the tour started, but now they’ve moved the tour earlier. The caesarean will take place on either July 21 or 25 and obviously I’ll be trying to get to Sri Lanka straight afterwards. “I might miss the first Test, but Cricket South Africa are happy because it really wasn’t our fault with the tour dates changing,” added Pollock.

Haroon Lorgat, the convenor of the national selection panel, confirmed that he was not concerned about Pollock’s possible absence. “We depart on July 19 and the birth is a day or two later, after which Shaun will leave. But it’s not an issue because we’ll have back-up in the squad and I am keen to rotate players,” he said.