Pollock relieved but won't let it sink in till he's home

South African captain Shaun Pollock is slowly coming to terms with his side's one-day series victory against the West Indies, but he doesn't expect to appreciate it until he arrives home.

"I'm very chuffed but it will probably really dawn on me when we get home," Pollock said on Thursday.

The South Africans clinched the seven match series 4-1 on Wednesday with a seven-wicket win, and in doing so became the first team to win both a test and one-day series in the Caribbean since the West Indies began playing one-day cricket there in 1976.

"The greatest emotion is a huge sense of relief. We are tired after 11 weeks on the road and although we've enjoyed every island and every country, and had success on the field, we are looking forward to getting home," Pollock said.

Coach Graham Ford had no doubt the impact of the team's success would only become apparent to them after they returned home.

"It takes a long time for a success like this to sink in. It also takes a long time to be able to unwind and appreciate what the team has achieved because for the last eleven weeks we have been coiled up in a pretty tense routine," Ford said.

"Having said that, I am absolutely thrilled and pleased for Shaun and the players because they deserve this success after the work they have put in."

Pollock praised not only Ford and his assistant, Corrie van Zyl, but also singled out the contribution made by manager Goolam Raja for the success of the tour.

Raja, accompanied by physiotherapist Craig Smith, spent two weeks touring the West Indies two weeks before the tour began to assess the logistics of a part of the world infamous for flight delays, lost luggage and poor practice facilities.

"It's very kind of Shaun to remember us all but the bottom line is what happens on the field and he is in charge of that," Ford said.

"We had some problem times, we really did, but his leadership just became stronger and stronger.

"Every time he needed to show leadership in times of difficulty, both on and off the field, he responded."

Pollock said he was aware the team had played poorly in the fifth test match in Jamaica, after they had clinched the series in the fourth at Antigua, and would rotate players for the final two one day internationals.

"We've been criticised for not rotating in the past but we will do so now. Fresh faces and fresh responsibilities will make sure we don't go flat," Pollock said.

The sixth one day match is in Trinidad on May 12 with the final match in St Vincent on May 16.

Mail Cricket Editor