Sporting icons: Greame Pollock - Achievements & video of legendary South African cricketer

 

Graeme Pollock is a former South African cricketer, born on February 27, 1944. He was a left-handed batsman and is widely regarded as one of the finest cricketers in the history of the game. Pollock played 23 Tests for South Africa between 1963 and 1970.

During his career, Pollock showcased exceptional batting skills, scoring 2,256 runs at an impressive average of 60.97, including seven centuries and 11 half-centuries. His elegant and powerful style made him a formidable force in international cricket.

Unfortunately, his Test career was cut short due to South Africa's exclusion from international cricket during the apartheid era. Despite the limited number of matches, Pollock's impact on the game and his statistical achievements solidify his legacy as one of the greatest batsmen in cricket history.

Graeme Pollock was renowned for his impeccable batting skills, characterized by a combination of elegance, technique, and power. As a left-handed batsman, he displayed a fluid and stylish batting technique that allowed him to dominate opposition bowlers. Pollock's ability to play both pace and spin with ease made him a versatile and formidable batsman.

His footwork and balance at the crease were exceptional, enabling him to handle a variety of deliveries. Pollock possessed a wide range of shots, including a strong and precise cover drive, exquisite cuts, and authoritative pulls. His excellent shot selection and timing contributed to his consistent run-scoring.

Notably, Pollock's adaptability allowed him to succeed on different types of pitches, making him a reliable and effective batsman in various conditions. His batting prowess, unfortunately, had a limited showcase at the international level due to South Africa's isolation during the apartheid era. Nonetheless, Graeme Pollock's batting skills have left an indelible mark on the cricketing world.

Graeme Pollock's achievements in cricket are notable, even though his international career was limited due to South Africa's isolation during the apartheid era. Some of his key achievements include:

1. **Impressive Batting Average:** Pollock maintained a remarkable batting average of 60.97 in Test cricket, showcasing his consistency and ability to convert starts into significant scores.

2. **Centuries and Fifties:** He scored seven centuries and 11 half-centuries in just 23 Test matches, underlining his ability to make substantial contributions to the team's total.

3. **Versatility:** Pollock displayed versatility by performing well against both pace and spin bowling, adapting to different playing conditions and opposition.

4. **Fastest to 1,000 Test Runs:** He held the record for being the fastest to reach 1,000 Test runs in terms of innings played, a testament to his impact and rapid run-scoring.

5. **Wisden Cricketer of the Year:** In 1966, Graeme Pollock was honored as one of the Wisden Cricketers of the Year, a prestigious recognition in the cricketing world.

While these achievements highlight Pollock's individual brilliance, it's important to note that his international career was cut short due to the political circumstances of his time. Despite this, his contributions to the sport continue to be celebrated, and he is remembered as one of the cricketing greats.

In the below video , Watch his sublime 144 vs a rebel Australia team in 1985  when he was past 40