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Pollock Out

Saturday, March 15 2003

South African captain Shaun Pollock has been relieved of the captaincy following the World Cup disaster, with immediate effect.

Pollock has been made a scapegoat after the side lost the opener to the West Indies, and followed that up with a heavy (albeit rain-affected) loss to New Zealand and that infamous Duckworth-Lewis tie with Sri Lanka.

Western Province batsman Graeme Smith, only 22, has emerged as one of the favourites to replace Pollock, along with wicketkeeper and current vice captain Mark Boucher.

Others to have been linked with the post include influential all-rounder Jacques Kallis, and openers Herschelle Gibbs and Gary Kirsten.

There are claims circulating that the UCBSA will "name the new captain tomorrow, but will need two weeks to decide on the vice-captain", which places Boucher's future under a question mark - it seems he will either get the top job or lose the #2 spot, with retention of the status quo not an option. It would be incredibly harsh for Boucher to take the blame for the 229/230 farce and lose the vice-captaincy because of this, but if Pollock can take it like this, then maybe it's curtains for Boucher as well.

Posted by Neil