South Africa

Graeme Pollock

Born: February 27, 1944, Durban, Natal

Graeme Pollock bio

Born on February 27, 1944, in Durban, South Africa, Robert Graeme Pollock, commonly known as ‘Graeme Pollock’, is widely regarded as one of the greatest left-handed batsmen in the history of cricket. His exceptional talent and natural ability earned him significant recognition during his career, despite being hindered by South Africa’s international isolation.

Pollock hailed from a family deeply rooted in the world of cricket. His brother, Peter Pollock, was a renowned fast bowler, and his nephew, Shaun Pollock, also went on to become a prominent cricketer. From an early age, Pollock displayed immense potential, scoring his first-ever century in first-class cricket at the tender age of 16.

In 1963, at just 19 years old, Pollock made his Test debut against Australia, marking the beginning of a remarkable international career. In only his second Test match, he showcased his prodigious talent by scoring his maiden Test century, earning recognition as a batsman of exceptional promise. His performances in the subsequent matches further solidified his position as a crucial player for the South African national team.

Pollock’s batting technique was characterized by his exceptional timing, which allowed him to effortlessly dispatch the ball to the boundaries. An extremely powerful batsman, Pollock possessed phenomenal shot placement and a wide range of strokes. His effortless playing style drew comparisons to the legendary Sir Donald Bradman, who regarded Pollock as one of the finest left-handed batsmen he had ever witnessed.

One performance that cemented Pollock’s legacy came during the 1966/67 Test series against Australia. In the second Test match, held in Cape Town, Pollock displayed his extraordinary batting prowess by scoring a breathtaking innings of 274 runs. This exceptional knock remained the highest individual score by a South African batsman for several years.

However, Pollock’s international career was abruptly cut short due to South Africa’s isolation from international cricket. Following the implementation of the sporting boycott against South Africa due to their apartheid policies, Pollock’s international appearances became limited. Despite remaining in his prime, Pollock played his last Test match in 1970, having represented his country in only 23 Tests.

Following his retirement from playing, Pollock stayed connected to the world of cricket in various capacities. He served as a selector for the South African national cricket team, contributing his immense knowledge and expertise to identify and groom future talent. Additionally, Pollock actively participated in coaching and mentoring young cricketers, aiming to pass on his exceptional skills and experiences.

Graeme Pollock’s impact on cricket goes far beyond his limited international appearances. Widely respected for his incredible talents, he continues to be celebrated as one of the game’s true legends. His remarkable performances with the bat, coupled with his influence on the next generation of cricketers, ensure his name will be forever etched in the annals of cricketing history.

Graeme Pollock career stats

Batting stats

Batting Matches Innings Nos Runs High score Ave BF SR 100s 50s 4s 6s Ct St
Tests 23 41 4 2256 274 60.97 - - 7 11 - 11 17 0
T20Is - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
ODIs - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
FC 262 437 54 20940 274 54.67 - - 64 99 - - 248 0
List A 118 112 19 4656 222* 50.06 - - 12 25 - - 45 0
T20s - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Bowling stats

Bowling Matches Innings Balls Runs Wkts BBI BBM Ave Econ SR 4w 5w 10w
Tests 23 13 414 204 4 2/50 2/50 51 2.95 103.5 0 0 0
T20Is - - - - - - - - - - - - -
ODIs - - - - - - - - - - - - -
FC 262 - 3743 2062 43 3/46 - 47.95 3.3 87 - 0 0
List A 118 - 63 59 0 - - - 5.61 - 0 0 0
T20s - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Explore more cricketers