India, South Africa deserve to play a 5-Test series: Graeme Pollock

Graeme Pollock arguably the greatest batsman South Africa has produced cannot wait for the India vs South Africa series to kick off on Thursday when both teams clash in the first of three oneday internationals at Kingsmead in Durban He tips India to win the oneday series considering the scratchy limited overs form of the hosts and of course the Mahendra Singh Dhoniled Indian teamrsquos oneday depth But when it comes to the twomatch Test series he says India will encounter a very good allround South African side Pollock 69 underwent a cancer operation a couple of months ago but says things are on track on the health front Watching the Tests will give him a special thrill but he doesnrsquot hide his disappointment over the short twomatch series Graeme Pollock in front of the new Pavilion in Port Elizabeth PicsGetty Images He was honoured last week at St Georgersquos Park in Port Elizabeth where the pavilion was named after himu00a0Sir Don Bradman believed Pollock was one of the two finest lefthand batsmen he saw The other was Sir Garfield Sobers In 23 Tests Pollock averaged 6097 Pollock spoke to MiD DAY from Johannesburg yesterday Excerpts u00a0 Backing India India has a good team With South Africa losing the oneday series to Pakistan recently India must have a good chance to win the series I would fancy India with South Africa in this disappointing oneday form The Test side is a good one but they have been experimenting too much in the oneday setup A picturesque view of the Kingsmead ground in Durban where India play South Africa in the second Test on December 26 The problem with SA Not batting people in the positions they should be in is getting South Africa into trouble They have to start picking the best combination and try to win games A guy like AB de Villiers should not be batting at No five but at three and Quinton de Kock who has done well in the opening position should be left to open Also you have to be playing your best bowlers SArsquos powerful Test force South Africa have an allround attack Graeme Smith has been very successful Jacques Kallis is back in the middle order AB has been playing well Itrsquos a good balanced side and there is a legspinner Imran Tahir who has done really well India shining all the way Itrsquos good to see your guys do well Indian cricket is as good as itrsquos been Everybody is getting runs and itrsquos a good attack with offspinner R Ashwin doing well It will be a good series and I am looking forward to seeing some good cricket Itrsquos a pity it is a short series and there is no Test action over the New Year which they were going to have at one time Itrsquos a pity We need the long tours You need a fivematch series There are too many of these short series and a whole lot of T20 and 50over games You need more Test cricket Todayrsquos players are not playing enough of it R Ashwin gives India an edge Longer series please India and South Africa deserve to play a fiveTest series because they have good teams There is too much 20over cricket Look at the Ashes series ndash the first Test at Brisbane was very interesting and it is nice to have keyedup Tests between two countriesu00a0We need more of that Yoursquove got to keep the Test game alive I would like to see a bigger series Irsquom just tired of these 20over games and slogging Therersquos too much of it Good sides will attract crowds I think the crowds will come There is no doubt that Test cricket is still popular and when there are good sides there will always be people to watch India has a good side the Aussies are always popular and England bring along their own supporters We need some more Test cricket u00a0