We always believed it would be a close match: Kemp

Bangalore, June 6 (UNI) Despite facing a daunting 318 to win, Africa Captain Justine Kemp always thought the match was going to be close and Shaun Pollock who hit a valiant 130 almost made his captain's word come true.

Speaking to reporters after the match, Kemp said, ''We believed this target could be achieved. Though we lost early wickets, we had Boucher and Pollock and others remaining for a fight.'' The African skipper said Pollock always batted well and today he was outstanding.

Pollock said it was good he helped through batting as he was not fit enough to bowl. Despite the wickets falling early, he decided to play his natural game and was happy that Elton and Odoyo played so well and did not need to be shielded by him at all.

When asked whether he would he bat up the order from now on, he said, ''I am 33 years now and will have to be choosy while playing matches. However, we have a solid batting line up and it will be difficult to find a place. That will be exciting though.'' Expressing happiness over the newly laid wicket in KSCA Stadium here which had a green top and offered good bounce, he said the wicket was good and such wickets including those in Mohali represented the 'New faces of India.' Asia Skipper Jayawardhane said 317 was a very good score on the wicket which had some grass on it and seamed a bit. ''The new ball bowlers did a fine job and once they were five wickets down, it was always going to be difficult.

''But Pollock played a brilliant knock. I know he is a hard hitter, but today he played a balanced innings and took risks only when there was need to do so.'' UNI