DECEMBER 2000 SPORT HEADLINES

Wednesday, January 24, 2001 - Web posted at 9:29:07 AM GMT

Pollock delighted with SA's consistent summer

CENTURION - "You can't get better, can you" was the reaction of Shaun Pollock after he was named man of the match and of the series after South Africa's innings victory against Sri Lanka in the third test on Monday.

South Africa's victory by an innings and seven runs sealed a 2-0 series victory and was Sri Lanka's second successive defeat within three days."

"I've enjoyed the series and when you play well, you always do," said captain Pollock.

He took 13 wickets in the three tests and scored his maiden test century on Saturday.

He hailed a "brilliant team effort.

The guys played really good cricket the whole way through."

"The whole season has been a highlight.

The guys have really gelled well and played well," said Pollock.

Pollock said his team had performed consistently throughout the summer after the shock of the resignation of former captain Hansie Cronje in a match-fixing scandal.

South Africa scored 2-0 series victories against New Zealand and Sri Lanka and had the upper hand in two drawn tests, both of which were rain-affected."

"We dominated all six.

I think the key to success in test cricket is being able to win from all situations," he said.

The South African team were hit by influenza on Sunday.

But Pollock said they had regrouped on Monday when the Sri Lankans resumed on 184 for three, after collapsing for 119 in their first innings on Sunday."

"There were five or six guys who were battling.

We discussed (putting in) a nice big effort this morning and the guys did really well.

They put the ball in the right areas," he said.

The number of young players who had come into the team and performed well was encouraging for the depth of the side.

"Anyone who's come in has contributed," said Pollock.

He was also full of praise for the contribution of veteran paceman Allan Donald who took three wickets in the match, despite being sick.

A stomach strain kept him out of the previous three tests."

"Allan did a good job for us.

He took two wickets in the first innings and he got (Sanath) Jayasuriya out today.

With all that wasn't running for him, he did well to bowl the way he did."

"Sri Lankan captain Jayasuriya said his side's batting had been "disappointing right throughout the series" although opener Kumar Sangakkara, who was last man out for 98 on Monday, and Mahela Jayawardene had done well "on and off"."

"We should have played more games in these conditions.

The batsmen needed more time to settle," he added.

Jayasuriya said his side had been severely hampered by the loss through groin injuries of bowlers Muttiah Muralitharan and Chaminda Vaas before the third test.

"When you lose your two main bowlers, you're in trouble.

But we're in a learning process, giving youngsters a chance, and they will learn something from these tours," he said.

- Nampa-Reuters

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