Pollock seeking confidence boost against Kenya

Colombo, September 19: South Africa captain Shaun Pollock wants his players to ensure a smooth passage into the Champions Trophy semi-finals with a comfortable victory over Kenya.

"It is important to get out there and play well from a confidence point of view," Pollock said on Thursday as his team prepared for the pool 3 clash on Friday.

A victory would lift South Africa into a last-four meeting with India or England, who clash on Sunday to decide who tops pool 2.

South Africa scored a nail-biting two-wicket win over West Indies on Friday, clinching victory on the last ball.

They were a tough fortunate as West Indies fast bowler Mervyn Dillon bowled a wide off the last ball with two runs needed and the batsmen tied the scores by running a bye as well.

Number 10 batsman Alan Dawson then hit a four off the final delivery.

Pollock said South Africa would prefer to maintain a firm grip on the game against the Kenyans.

"At one stage we were fighting against odds (against West Indies). Our attitude as South African team is to try and be on top and dominate."

All-rounder Nicky Boje will miss the game to recover from a hairline fracture he suffered on his right ring finger attempting a return catch off West Indies skipper Carl Hooper.

Also doubtful are batsman Jonty Rhodes, yet to fully recover from a hand injury he suffered during a one-day series in Morocco last month, and fast bowler Allan Donald, who may be rested.

Fast bowler Makhaya Ntini, batsman Justin Ontong and Dale Benkenstein will come in if the trio do not play.

Kenya pushed West Indies before losing by 29 runs on Tuesday in another display of the talent in their ranks.

"They came pretty close to the West Indies score. They definitely can't be taken lightly," Pollock said.

The South African skipper said Kenya were the best among the inexperienced sides in the prestigious 12-nation event, ahead of new test entrants Bangladesh and ICC trophy winners the Netherlands.

"Kenya is the best of all the non-test playing nations, no doubt. Some might argue they are even better than Bangladesh."

Kenya coach Sandeep Patil said his team would have to bat to their full potential and not drop catches as they did against West Indies if they are to have a chance against South Africa.

The Kenyan fielders dropped three catches off Brian Lara alone, enabling the left-hander to produce a match-winning 111.

Patil, the former India test batsman, said batting would be the key.

"We have a decent bowling attack, but unless we put runs on the board...at our level it is difficult to set any target, we have to bat safely to ensure a good total," he said.

South Africa (likely): Shaun Pollock (captain), Herschelle Gibbs, Graeme Smith, Jacques Kallis, Boeta Dippenaar, Mark Boucher, Dale Bekenstein, Lance Klusener, Justin Ontong, Alan Dawson, Makhaya Ntini.

Kenya (from): Steve Tikolo (captain), Kennedy Otieno, Ravindu Shah, Brijal Patel, Maurice Odumbe, Thomas Odoyo, David Obuya, Collins Obuya, Tony Suji, Martin Suji, Joseph Angara, Jimmy Kamande, Hitesh Modi.

Umpires: Daryl Harper and Srinivas Venkatraghavan.
Third umpire: David Shepherd.
Match referee: Gundappa Viswanath.