Name:

Pollock, Graeme

Date of Birth:

27 Feb 1944

Gender:

Men

Place of Birth:

Durban

Career:

Test: 1963 - 1970
First Class: 1960 - 1987

Teams:

South Africa (Country)
Transvaal (Regional)

Meet the legends: Graeme Pollock

Graeme Pollock: Power packed, brutal strokeplay

Born : 27 February 1944 at Durban, Natal, South Africa

Graeme Pollock was one of the great left-handed batsmen.When Donald Bradman was asked to name the best left-handers he had ever seen, he picked out Garry Sobers and Graeme Pollock.

He made his Test debut at the age of 19 after some fine performances for Eastern Province. He had one of the highest Test batting averages when his Test career was brought to an abrupt end at the age of 26 as a result of South Africa's sporting isolation due to its Apartheid policies.

He made South Africa's then highest Test score of 274 against Australia at Durban in 1970 and played an innings of rare brilliance when scoring 125 against England at Nottingham in 1965.

In 1967, the runs continued to flow, with Australia treated to the tune of 209 at Cape Town in the New Year Test. However, with the cancellation of England's 1968-69 tour due to the 'D'Oliveira Affair' he had to wait three years before tasting Test cricket again, which would prove to be South Africa's final series before their sporting isolation.

He played on in South African domestic cricket into his forties, scoring more runs (12 409 at an average of 54.66) than anyone else in the Currie Cup and performing well in "rebel" series.

In his early days he was a useful leg-spinner. His brother Peter and nephew Shaun were both fine Test cricketers for South Africa.

Source: CricketCrowd Staff Reporter