Klusener returns home to visit pregnant wife

All-rounder Lance Klusener has been sent home from South Africa's tour of Australia to visit his pregnant wife in the hope of regaining his confidence before the forthcoming limited-overs series.

South African captain Shaun Pollock told a media conference on the eve of the third and final Test starting in Sydney on Wednesday that Klusener had been given the choice of going home for a week after being dropped from the Test side.

"It was a management decision and when we put it to him he agreed it was best to go home," Pollock said.

"It's a difficult time for him, his wife is due to give birth in less than a month and we believed that to get the best out of Lance Klusener we had to send him home."

The big-hitting all-rounder known as Zulu flew out of Sydney on New Year's Eve but Pollock said he would return in a week's time for the triangular one-day series including New Zealand.

"He wasn't going to play in this Test so this is the best thing for him. He's still an integral part of the one-day side," Pollock said.

Klusener scored just 47 runs in the first two Tests and speculation about his position intensified when left arm spinner Nicky Boje was added to the squad at late notice.

COURAGEOUS DECISION
Australian captain Steve Waugh said he applauded Klusener's decision to take a break when he was so obviously out of form.

"There are probably two ways you can look at it. He's either taken the easy option or he's taken a courageous decision," Waugh said on Tuesday.

"I think it's a courageous decision. Not many players have taken this option in the past so it's a brave move.

"If he's not playing well and giving off the wrong attitude to other players then having a bit of time off is probably a good thing for their side."

Mail Cricket Editor