Pollock to steal page from Eng book
Shaun Pollock, captain of the World XI limited-overs cricket side, plots a way to beat Australia in the three-match series.
South African Shaun Pollock, captain of the World XI limited-overs cricket side, says he'll steal a page from England's Ashes playbook when he plots a way to beat Australia in the three-match series.
The strategies used by England's bowlers in its 2-1 Ashes win made some of Australia's batsmen look uneasy, and Pollock said England is ready to share them with the world.
"We've got Tim Boon from England, who's the analyst for them, who's bringing over some of the footage, some of the ideas that they used against Australia," Pollock said on Thursday. "The guys should be pretty well-prepared."
The first one-day match is October 5, with additional games in Melbourne on October 7 and 9. A six-day test is also scheduled in Sydney beginning October 14.
Also helping the world side's cause will be the presence of star English all-rounder Andrew Flintoff and one-day specialist Kevin Pietersen.
Pollock said not only would their form against Australia and tactical insights be useful, but their confidence could be contagious as the world side attempts to keep Australia down. "Hopefully that rubs off onto the other guys," he said. "Having beaten Australia currently, they must be feeling pretty confident and they are superstars in their own right, they really performed well in that series _ in the Ashes and the one-day series. We're looking for big performances from them as well. "I know Freddie (Flintoff) was (England captain) Michael Vaughan's turn-to man and I can pretty much see myself turning to him at many opportunities to try to make an impact." Pollock said Australia's home-pitch advantage would make a difference.
"This is in a different country, different conditions, and being at home I'm sure they'll be a lot more comfortable," he said. "In the one-day series, they did win the one-day series over there in England, so they obviously are the best-rated one-day side in the world and rightly so."
Pollock said a chance to beat Australia in a home series was something that would motivate every player in the world side because so few had achieved it with their own countries.
"From our perspective it is an honor to be selected in a World XI and playing alongside some legendary players you've played against, the motivation will definitely be there," he said. "It's not too often you do come to Australia and walk away with the trophy."