Former South African convener of selectors Rushdie Magiet has questioned Shaun Pollock's captaincy credentials, after the host nation made a shock exit from the World Cup.
"If the team has done badly, it is time to question Pollock's captaincy and look for answers," Magiet told rediff.com. "We have been struggling right since the defeats against Australia last year."
Magiet believes the Proteas were "shocking" in their play during the Cup, and did not in any case deserve to reach the Super Six. The bowling, he believes, was particularly bad, with only Pollock himself, and Makhaya Ntini, producing any spells of quality.
"They were not overconfident, merely too relaxed," says Magiet, who was selector for 11 years before ending his stint in the wake of SA's humiliating defeat against Australia last year.
"You have to have focus for a tournament of this magnitude. They were not playing their best game, something is wrong with them. They have lost their will to win."
One problem, he pointed outt, was an over-dependence on all-rounders, which meant the team did not have enough specialist players.
"Mark Boucher's keeping was terrible, Jacques Kallis batted badly, Andrew Hall and Lance Klusener were dismal with the ball and Nicky Boje didn't have anything to do in the tournament. Had Charl Langeveldt played more games, it would have helped. He was not given enough chances."
Rushdie was also suspicious about Kallis' toe injury -- his suspicion being that he was not fully recovered and thus, not fit to play in this tournament. Regarding Allan Donald, Magiet said he had bowled well before the selectors to win his place, but then fell off in actual competition.
"South Africa need to find fast bowlers with serious pace and movement," he said.
Magiet believes Pollock should step down on his own, with Mark Boucher succeeding him. "He (Boucher) has tasted some success, with a win over Australia in the game he led," Magiet points out.
"If not for the one-dayers, at least for the Tests Boucher could replace Pollock."
