Pollock given time to recover

Shaun Pollock will be given as much time as possible to recover from a back injury © Getty Images

A decision on whether or not to include Shaun Pollock to play against New Zealand in the third and final Test at the Wanderers on Friday will be left as late as possible. It is likely the South African selectors will give Pollock until the morning of the Test to prove his fitness.

Pollock pulled out at the very last minute from the drawn second Test at Newlands with a back injury. Haroon Lorgat, convener of selectors, has said he could wait till Friday before deciding whether or not to risk Pollock for a Test in which South Africa need only a draw to win the series. Nicky Boje, who injured his hand during the second Test, will also be given until then before any decisions are made.

According to www.supercricket.co.za, Lorgat said: "Shaun started practising in the nets on Monday and we're optimistic that he will be ready. It's also encouraging that Nicky bowled in the second innings at Newlands."

Pollock says he is already feeling much better and that the next two days will be decisive. "I bowled three overs on Monday morning and three again in the afternoon. It wasn't at full throttle, but at least I'm feeling good.

"I'll try to bowl six overs on Wednesday and six again on Thursday. If the selectors are prepared to wait, a final decision could be taken on the morning of the Test. Shane Jabaar (physiotherapist) has advised me to take things slowly and not be over-hasty. I don't think I'll have problems given how I'm feeling now." If Pollock is fit, Andre Nel could be left out of the team. Ironically, Nel had replaced Pollock at the last minute in the second Test.

Meanwhile, Lorgat also praised Hashim Amla's maiden Test century, saying: "This is exactly the healthy competition we as selectors are looking for. Hopefully others will also perform better." Despite not every batsman firing, Lorgat said the batting line is likely to remain unchanged.

Amla replaced the out-of-form and short of confidence Herschelle Gibbs and scored a painstaking 149 in South Africa's first and only innings. This was the first time in 16 months that he had wielded the bat for South Africa.