Cricket: Home side pray for luck as the unthinkable looms

By RICHARD BOOCK

Shaun Pollock will awake this morning with the horrible reality that his South African side could be one of the first eliminated from their own tournament.

The South African skipper struggled to explain his side's performance yesterday after they lost their second match of the World Cup to New Zealand - a side they have dominated for the past couple of years.

Having lost their opening match to the West Indies and yesterday's showdown to New Zealand, South Africa are now the most likely seeded side to miss out on the second round Super Six competition, a point which Pollock readily acknowledged.

"It's certainly not the ideal situation for us," he said.

"It's out of our control now although obviously we'll be watching a couple of looming group B games pretty keenly.

"We've got it all in front of us now and we need luck as well - so it's not great."

Pollock's main concerns might revolve around the consistency of his bowling attack, which struggled to contain the rampant Stephen Fleming and includes a below-par Allan Donald, the ageing fast bowler who quits all ODI cricket at the end of the tournament.

Donald was again wayward yesterday and Fleming was also able to dish out some punishment to Jacques Kallis and Pollock, leaving the South Africans looking askance at a bowling attack that was once so strong.

However, Pollock was as gracious in defeat as ever, commending New Zealand on their performance and singing their praises as a team.

"New Zealand played better on the day, they played better than us.

"I thought Fleming was superb and [Nathan] Astle pretty good too ... We just need a lifeline now.

"New Zealand are a good side and we've regarded them a strong combination that you have to play well against.

"We've been on top in recent years, but it's always been a close call, defined by some single turning points."

Asked if the home pressure was starting to tell on the players, Pollock said they had talked about the issue of a lot being at stake, and that he would be disappointed if the players were being adversely affected.

"The home pressure goes with the territory," he said.

"I'd be a bit disappointed if it's damaging anyone's concentration because we've talked about it so much - we just need a lifeline now."

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