Shaun Pollock's warning over England young gun Stuart Broad
CRICKET: SOUTH AFRICAN LEGEND ON ENGLAND'S YOUNG GUN
Shaun Pollock has warned England not to saddle Stuart Broad with too much expectation as they look to build on their Ashes success in South Africa.
Broad was one of England's star performers against Australia and finished as England's leading wicket-taker in the series.
But Pollock believes he's not yet ready to fill the void left by Andrew Flintoff's retirement.
Andthe South African great fears that placing too much pressure Broad this winter could see him struggle on one of the toughest tours on the international calendar.
Pollock said: "Freddie's boots are bigboots to fill. Broad needs tobe given the timeto develop at his own pace.
"He bowled superbly at The Ovalandscoredsomevaluable runs down the order.
"But there's a big difference between contributing at No.8 and being expected to score runs at No.7."
BroadranthroughAustralia's batsmenin the final Test atThe Oval to set up a famous win.
And it's progress with the ball, not the bat, that Pollock believes Broad should be concentrating on at this stage in his career.
Pollock added: "Freddie was vital to the balance of the England, but Broad needs to justify his place in the side as a bowler first.
"Once he's comfortable in that role England can look to push him up the order.
"He's alreadyshownenough to suggest he could one day develop into a genuine allround talent.
"But being an all-rounder is tough, especially in Test cricket - it takes time to feel comfortable in the role." Pollock should know. He took more than 400 wickets and scored almost 4,000 runs in a career spanning over a decade.
He also enjoyed spells in county cricket with Warwickshire and Durham, where he played alongside both Steve HarmisonandGraham Onions.
With South Africa boasting a wealth of fast bowling riches, he believes the absence of Harmison has handed South Africa a massive boost - even before the tour gets under way.
Pollock said: "I'm surprised thatHarmisondidn't make the touring party, he's always a nice option to have.
"He's the sort of bowler that can rip through a batting lineup, especially given that the wickets out here are going to be harder and bouncier than the ones back home.
"He would have been someone who, if he had got it right, couldhave given South Africa's top order a very tough time.
"Steve is the kind of guy who can knock over a side very quickly - which is what Dale Steyn can do for South Africa.
"I would have definitely had Harmy in my squad."
His absence will place an extra responsibility on the shoulders of Jimmy Anderson.
And Pollock believes that a firing Anderson could pose a stiff test for the likes of Graeme SmithandJacques Kallis at the top of the order.
Pollock said: "Anderson will get a lot of movement in the Highveld so the Jo'burg and Pretoria Tests willbe where he could have the most impact.
"He's got a great ability to swing the ball and up front he could be a handful with the new ball.
"England will need him to make early inroads."
Ifhedoesn't it could be a long, hard winter for Andrew Strauss's men.
ENGLAND'S ITINERARY
Today: Squad arrives
Friday v President's XI, 50-over tour match, Bloemfontein
Nov 8: v President's XI, 50-over tour match, Kimberley
Nov 10: v South Africa A, 20-over tour match, Bloemfontein (d/n)
Nov 13: First Twenty20 international, Johannesburg (d/n)
Nov 15: Second Twenty20 International, Centurion
Nov 17: v South Africa A, 50-over tour match, Potchefstroom (d/n)
Nov 20: First one-day international, Johannesburg (d/n)
Nov 22: Second one-day international, Centurion
Nov 27: Third one-day international, Cape Town (d/n)
Nov 29: Fourth one-day international, Port Elizabeth
Dec 4: Fifth one-day international, Durban (d/n)
Dec 9-10: v SA Airways XI, tour match, East London
Dec 11-12: v SA Airways XI, tour match, East London
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Dec 16-20: First Test, Centurion
Dec 26-30: Second Test, Durban
Jan 3-7, 2010: Third Test, Cape Town
Jan 14-18: Fourth Test, Johannesburg
Jan 19: Squad departs
THE SQUADS
TEST MATCHES
Andrew Strauss (capt) Middlesex
Alastair Cook (v-capt) Essex
James Anderson Lancashire
Ian Bell Warwicks
Stuart Broad Notts
Paul Collingwood Durham
Steven Davies Surrey
Graham Onions Durham
Kevin Pietersen Hampshire
Liam Plunkett Durham
Matt Prior Sussex
Adil Rashid Yorkshire
Ryan Sidebottom Notts
Graeme Swann Notts
Jonathan Trott Warwicks
Luke Wright Sussex
THE ONE-DAYERS
Andrew Strauss (capt) Middlesex
James Anderson Lancashire
Tim Bresnan Yorkshire
Stuart Broad Notts
Paul Collingwood Durham
Alastair Cook Essex
Joe Denly Kent
Sajid Mahmood Lancashire
Eoin Morgan Middlesex
Graham Onions Durham
Kevin Pietersen Hampshire
Matt Prior Sussex
Adil Rashid Yorkshire
Graeme Swann Notts
Jonathan Trott Warwicks
Luke Wright Sussex
