Cape Town, Jan 28: Captain Shaun Pollock and his South African teammates raised their intensity during a three-hour practice session at Newlands today ahead of the World Cup. Pollock said his players were hungry for action after most had been away for cricket since the end of a series against Pakistan on January 6.
"The intensity was very good. The guys were feeling rusty but I think that's really good because the guys are keen to get in there and work hard."
South Africa play the West Indies in the tournament's opening game at Newlands on February 9. After a relatively low-key net practice on Monday, the players were made to work hard by coach Eric Simons.
Fast bowler Allan Donald, who caused a minor scare on Monday when he stopped bowling because of tightness in his buttock muscles, bowled at full pace without any discomfort.
Donald's problems were caused, according to physiotherapist Shane Jabaar, by stiffness following the team's camp in the Drakensberg mountains last week when they were involved in non-cricket activities which included cycling, hiking and white water rafting.
Jabaar said he was confident Donald, 36, could be kept fit throughout the World Cup.
"The key for us is to make sure he recovers quickly after he has been involved in any strenuous activity. This involves good, relaxed stretching, an ice bath to get the lactic acid moving and help his circulation, followed by massage." Bureau Report