CENTURION, South Africa (Reuters)
The South African captain, Shaun Pollock, has said that the unofficial Test between South Africa and India should not be granted Test status at a later date.

"I would be very surprised if it did become a Test match - I don't think it should," Pollock told reporters after the close of the first day's play.

"To turn it into a Test match afterwards would not be right. The guys need to know before they step onto the field what the game stands for."

The match was scheduled as the third Test of the series, but the International Cricket Council (ICC) withdrew the game's status after South Africa's United Cricket Board (UCBSA) said it would prevent the ICC-appointed match referee Mike Denness from officiating.

Denness found Indian hero Sachin Tendulkar guilty of ball-tampering during the drawn second Test in Port Elizabeth, and he also sanctioned five other Indian players, including captain Sourav Ganguly, for bringing the game into disrepute through excessive appealing.

Pollock admitted the match against India lacked the usual intensity but added it should give his side valuable preparation for the rest of the summer.

"It definitely takes the edge off, because you know it's not a fully-fledged international," Pollock said after India were reduced to 221 for 8 on Friday.

"It's a little bit more relaxed than a Test match would be. The intensity was just under where Test cricket is normally.

"It's a great practice," he said. "We've got a tough tour of Australia coming up, and India go home to play England."

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