South Africa

Daryll Cullinan

Born: March 04, 1967, Kimberley, Cape Province

Daryll Cullinan bio

Daryll John Cullinan, a prominent cricket player from South Africa, was born on March 4, 1967, in Johannesburg. Known for his elegant batting style and graceful strokeplay, Cullinan proved to be a vital asset to the South African batting lineup during the 1990s.

Cullinan’s cricketing journey began at a young age, and he quickly made a name for himself as a talented batsman. In 1983, at the tender age of 16, he broke the record set by the legendary Graeme Pollock to become South Africa’s youngest first-class century-maker. This achievement earned him the label of the “new Graeme Pollock” and set high expectations for his career.

Throughout his tenure as a cricketer, Cullinan showcased his ability to perform against various bowling attacks and in different playing conditions. He possessed excellent adaptability against both pace and spin, making him a versatile player. His impeccable timing and stylish shot selection often made even defensive strokes look elegant.

Cullinan’s confrontations with Australian leg-spinner Shane Warne are well-documented. While he may have struggled against Warne’s unorthodox spin, it was evident that Cullinan’s failures were driven by a deep desire to prove himself against a cricketing nation he held in high regard. Against other formidable opponents, Cullinan consistently delivered outstanding performances.

In 1994, during a test match against England where South Africa was bowled out for a paltry 175, Cullinan stood tall and composed, scoring a graceful 94. Remarkably, he was the only South African batsman who did not lose his wicket to the menacing Devon Malcolm. This innings showcased Cullinan’s resilience and determination to excel even in challenging circumstances.

Over his career, Cullinan amassed an impressive 14 Test hundreds. He embraced the role of a senior batsman and often led from the front, guiding the team to victory. This was evident in the 1999-2000 Test series against England, where he scored first-innings centuries in both the first and fourth Tests, resulting in South Africa winning both matches.

Notably, Cullinan also held the record for the highest first-class score by a South African, scoring an unbeaten 337 against Northern Transvaal in 1993. Additionally, he surpassed Graeme Pollock’s highest Test score of 274 by just one run, claiming the South African record for himself, which stood for approximately four years.

Cullinan’s final Test series, played in the Caribbean in early 2001, marked the end of his international cricketing career. He retired from the game after a series of discussions and disagreements with the cricket board.

Daryll Cullinan’s impact on South African cricket will always be remembered. His ability to deliver runs against formidable opposition and embrace the responsibility of a senior batter made him a vital component of the team. Even though his duels with Shane Warne were often highlighted, Cullinan’s overall contributions to South African cricket cannot be understated. His elegant strokeplay and impeccable timing solidified his reputation as one of South Africa’s finest batsmen of his era.

Daryll Cullinan career stats

Batting stats

Batting Matches Innings Nos Runs High score Ave BF SR 100s 50s 4s 6s Ct St
Tests 70 115 12 4554 275* 44.21 9300 48.96 14 20 548 25 67 0
T20Is - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
ODIs 138 133 16 3860 124 32.99 5492 70.28 3 23 298 33 62 0
FC 246 417 54 16261 337* 44.79 - - 44 79 - - 245 0
List A 330 315 42 8824 127* 32.32 - - 9 49 - - 155 0
T20s 12 7 2 107 40* 21.4 79 135.44 0 0 6 7 7 0

Bowling stats

Bowling Matches Innings Balls Runs Wkts BBI BBM Ave Econ SR 4w 5w 10w
Tests 70 8 120 71 2 1/10 1/10 35.5 3.55 60 0 0 0
T20Is - - - - - - - - - - - - -
ODIs 138 9 174 124 5 2/30 2/30 24.8 4.27 34.8 0 0 0
FC 246 - 992 486 10 2/27 - 48.6 2.93 99.2 - 0 0
List A 330 - 378 309 8 2/30 2/30 38.62 4.9 47.2 0 0 0
T20s 12 - - - - - - - - - - - -

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