Sporting icons : Shaun Pollock - Protea all round legend, career HLs & video

 

Shaun Pollock, one of South Africa's cricket legends, has had an illustrious career with significant achievements in both Test and ODI formats. Here are his detailed career highlights, including his records and personal details:

 Personal Details:

- **Full Name:** Shaun Maclean Pollock

- **Date of Birth:** July 16, 1973

- **Birthplace:** Port Elizabeth, South Africa

Shaun Pollock was renowned for his exceptional all-round capabilities in cricket, both as a bowler and a batsman. Here’s a closer look at his style of all-round play:

### Bowling Style:

1. **Right-Arm Fast-Medium Bowler:**

   - **Control and Accuracy:** Pollock was known for his precise line and length, consistently troubling batsmen with his ability to bowl accurately.

   - **Swing and Seam Movement:** He could swing the ball both ways, making him a challenging bowler, especially in conducive conditions. His ability to extract movement off the pitch added to his effectiveness.

   - **Economy and Consistency:** Pollock maintained a low economy rate, both in Tests and ODIs, making him one of the most economical bowlers of his time. His consistency in delivering dot balls built pressure on the opposition.

   - **Variation and Intelligence:** He employed subtle variations in pace and movement, which kept batsmen guessing. His cricketing intelligence allowed him to outthink batsmen and exploit their weaknesses.

   - **New Ball and Death Overs:** Pollock was adept with the new ball, often making early breakthroughs. In ODIs, he was also effective in the death overs, containing runs and taking crucial wickets.

Shaun Pollock was a part of a great fast bowling pair with Allan Donald and together they proved to be a lethal fast bowling combination that destroyed many batting sides in the past in all formats . 

### Batting Style:

1. **Right-Handed Batsman:**

   - **Technically Sound:** Pollock had a solid technique, which made him a reliable lower-order batsman in both formats. His compact and correct batting style allowed him to handle quality bowling.

   - **Resilience and Determination:** Known for his resilience, he could withstand pressure situations and play crucial innings, often rescuing the team from precarious positions.

   - **Aggressive Stroke Play:** While primarily a solid batsman, Pollock could shift gears when needed. He had the ability to play aggressive shots and score quickly, especially in ODIs.

   - **Useful Contributions:** His contributions with the bat were significant, providing stability and adding valuable runs in the lower order. His batting was characterized by his ability to build partnerships and support the main batsmen.

### Fielding:

- **Athletic and Safe Hands:** Pollock was also a dependable fielder, particularly in the slips and outfield. His athleticism and safe catching ability made him an asset in the field.

### Leadership:

- **Captaincy:** As a captain, Pollock led by example with his all-round performances. His calm demeanor and strategic acumen helped him manage the team effectively, earning respect from teammates and opponents alike.

### Overall Impact:

Shaun Pollock’s style of play as an all-rounder was defined by his versatility, consistency, and ability to perform under pressure. His contributions with both bat and ball made him one of the most valuable players for South Africa during his career.

### Career Highlights:

#### Test Career:

- **Debut:** November 16, 1995, against England in Centurion

- **Last Match:** January 10, 2008, against West Indies in Durban

- **Matches Played:** 108

- **Runs Scored:** 3,781

- **Batting Average:** 32.31

- **Centuries:** 2

- **Half-Centuries:** 16

- **Highest Score:** 111

- **Wickets Taken:** 421

- **Bowling Average:** 23.11

- **Five-wicket Hauls:** 16

- **Ten-wicket Hauls:** 1

- **Best Bowling Figures:** 7/87

Pollock is known for his consistent line and length, swing bowling, and ability to deliver under pressure. His all-round capabilities made him a valuable player for South Africa.

#### ODI Career:

- **Debut:** January 9, 1996, against England in Cape Town

- **Last Match:** February 3, 2008, against West Indies in Johannesburg

- **Matches Played:** 303

- **Runs Scored:** 3,519

- **Batting Average:** 26.45

- **Centuries:** 1

- **Half-Centuries:** 14

- **Highest Score:** 130

- **Wickets Taken:** 393

- **Bowling Average:** 24.50

- **Five-wicket Hauls:** 5

- **Best Bowling Figures:** 6/35

Pollock's ODI career is marked by his ability to control the game with both bat and ball. He was known for his economical bowling and often contributed crucial lower-order runs.

### Notable Achievements:

- **Captaincy:** Pollock served as the captain of the South African team from 2000 to 2003.

- **All-Rounder Excellence:** He is one of the few cricketers to have achieved the double of 3,000 runs and 300 wickets in both Test and ODI cricket.

- **Awards and Recognitions:** Pollock has received numerous awards throughout his career, including the ICC Player of the Year.

### Post-Retirement:

After retiring from international cricket in 2008, Shaun Pollock has remained involved in the sport as a commentator and analyst, providing insights and sharing his extensive knowledge of the game.

Shaun Pollock's career is celebrated for his exceptional contributions to South African cricket, and he is regarded as one of the greatest all-rounders in the history of the sport.

Watch Pollock's fabulous bowling vs Pakistan in 1998 series