Ntini, Pollock may miss opener

Pace spearheads Ntini and Pollock are dubious starters in the first match against Lanka.

Injured South African pace spearheads Makhaya Ntini and Shaun Pollock are the doubtful starters in the opening match of the tri-series cricket, beginning at the Premadasa Stadium.

HT Image

"We will take a decision on Makhaya before the game, but Polly looks doubtful," captain Mark Boucher said at a press conference on the eve of the day and night match.

Boucher said Ntini had not yet fully recovered from a hamstring strain and Pollock's lower back was still tourbling him and the final XI for the day and night tie against Sri Lanka would be announced just before the match.

"We won't finalise our team till afternoon to give ourselves more time to assess the injury situation," he said.

South Africa is already already depleted without their regular skipper Graeme Smith, all-rounder Jacques Kallis and Justin Kemp.