Cricket

Pollock, McGrath not to return to IPL

Former South African all-rounder Shaun Pollock has no desire to play cricket any more which has left his Indian Premier League (IPL) team Mumbai Indians in a tizzy.

“I have reached a stage where I think I have played enough cricket,” Pollock was quoted as saying in a website.

Pollock’s contract with Mumbai Indians was only for one year and officials are now trying to make him change his mind.

“My contract with the Mumbai Indians was for one year and I was very happy with the way things went. I enjoyed every bit of the IPL experience but I want to stop playing now. But I will come back in some capacity,” he added.

Pollock, who led the team in the first half of the tournament after Sachin Tendulkar got injured and Harbhajan Singh was banned, scored 147 runs in eight innings at a strike-rate of 132.43 and took 11 wickets in 13 matches at an economy-rate of 6.54.

However, Mumbai Indians have still not given up hope on persuading Pollock to play for them next year.

“We are in talks with him. We understand his position but we are positive we will be able to convince him to reconsider,” a Mumbai Indians’ spokesperson said.

Delhi Daredevils’ Australian import Glenn McGrath, whose wife Jane died of cancer earlier this year, is also doubtful to return for the second season of the IPL. McGrath, who retired from international cricket after the 2007 World Cup, had signed a three-year deal with Delhi. TA Sekhar, the team’s director, however, said they were trying to get in touch with McGrath but is not in Australia.

Tags: Delhi Daredevils, Glenn McGrath, IPL, Mumbai Indians, shaun pollock