South African Shaun Pollock says he feels blessed to have had the chance to notch up 100 Test caps for the Proteas.
The former South African skipper will reach the milestone along with teammate Jacques Kallis and opposing skipper Stephen Fleming, when the Proteas begin their first Test with New Zealand at Pretoria on Saturday.
"It's a bit of a long-service award and I'm really proud of it," Pollock told Reuters.
"To play 100 Tests is something special and I'll take a quiet moment to look back on the last 10 years."
"I've been blessed to have played in an awesome side and to have played with and against some fine cricketers."
Pollock, who is South Africa's leading Test wicket-taker with 389 dismissals at an average of 23.21, was far from his best in the recent series against Australia and home and away.
He took just 12 wickets at great expense to the Proteas in the five matches.
"I thought I went pretty well in Australia, but coming back from injury back here things did not go as well as I would have liked," he said.
"So I'm looking to bounce back against New Zealand."
He was relegated to being a change bowler, behind Makhaya Ntini and Andre Nel, in the final Test against Australia.
But he said he doesn't know where he will fit in the attack this time.
"My role for these Tests has not been discussed yet, but I realise my time as a new-ball bowler can't go on for ever," he said.
"If the selectors want to change my role, or experiment with other players, then I have to be willing to adapt."
