Pollock: No one can say we have problems playing in the subcontinent

Enough has been said about how Australia start virtually every tournament as favourites. In recent years, the tale would have been a bit different, with South Africa joining the Aussies at the top before the large gulf separated the rest. But in light of the recent thrashing the Proteas received at the hands of the Australians, Ricky Ponting's side are now alone at the top. Speaking to the press ahead of their campaign in the ICC Champions Trophy, the South Africans admitted that this trend is a cause for concern.

And one aspect in which the two teams differ, is right at the top. While Australia have the rampaging Adam Gilchrist and Matthew Hayden who has been in a two-year purple streak, South Africa have struggled with Gary Kirsten not doing nearly enough to keep his place in the side for the Champions Trophy. With Herschelle Gibbs making a ton against Pakistan in the recently concluded Morocco Cup however, the South Africans are beginning to relax on that front.

"We have a good opening partnership in Graeme Smith and Gibbs. As you guys know, Smith played a big part in the home series against the Australians. Gary (Kirsten) is battling with form at the moment but he's always been a part of the squad and I'm sure he'll be back in the side at some stage. At the moment however, we're going with our form players. There is a lot of experience or matches under the belt for the guys who have been picked," said skipper Shaun Pollock on the exclusion of veteran opener Gary Kirsten.

Australia aside, Pollock made it clear that he felt that South Africa fancied their chances in this tournament. "We've got a hell of a good chance. We've played a lot of cricket in the subcontinent and have done well. We managed to win the mini World Cup in Bangladesh and believe we have a squad that is capable. It's just a question of doing well and making sure that we produce at the right times," he said.

However, Pollock was not altogether convincing when he explained away the loss in Morocco in similar conditions. Although he began by saying, "I think we have mastered the conditions in the subcontinent. We have no problems with that," the skipper went on to say "I think it was the three month break that contributed most to our loss. We hadn't been playing much cricket in the warm up to the Morocco tournament. Coming from the cold to the subcontinent made life a bit more difficult. I don't think it's an excuse, but basically we did not adapt quickly enough to the conditions. No one can say we have problems playing in the subcontinent."

A talking point here in Colombo has been the ICC initiative to extend the the use of technology. The South Africans, who have been pioneers in this regard supported the ICC efforts wholeheartedly. "At some stage we have to try it and see how well it works. From the players' perspectives we want to see the best decisions made and if technology can do that without taking too much time, I'm all for it. The ICC have decided to use this tournament to try things out and there's always so much talk about whether such a thing would or would not improve things and this is a good chance to find out."

The South Africans first take on West Indies on the 13th, and Pollock stressed that he and his side were not taking things lightly. "The West Indies side has become settled. There was chopping and changing but if you look at the batting line-up for example, it's been pretty much the same. They've got the star players in Lara, Chanderpaul and Hooper, but we've done well against them in the past. We wont be complacent though, we'll make sure we're prepared."