Sunday, February 23, 2014

Graeme Pollock's Heroic Stand: A Tale of Valor at Newlands



Cape Town cradled between majestic mountains and the boundless Atlantic, beckons travellers with its unmatched beauty. From Table Mountain’s towering presence to the churning waters teeming with great whites, Cape Town is an adventurer's dream. Among these treasures, the city is also home to Newlands Cricket Stadium, where fans can experience the passion and grandeur of summer cricket, framed against the imposing silhouette of Table Mountain. Newlands is a stage that has hosted some of cricket’s most unforgettable performances, its stands alive with the energy of the crowd and the drama unfolding on the pitch. 

One such epic battle took place in the summer of 1967. Australia, led by the steely Bobby Simpson, was touring South Africa. The Proteas began with a victory in Johannesburg, setting the series aflame. That first Test saw South Africa turn the tables after trailing by 126 runs, thanks to a commanding second-innings display from Eddie Barlow, Ali Bacher, Graeme Pollock, and others. The Australians were humbled, bowled out by Trevor Goddard’s six-for, and South Africa claimed a 1-0 lead.

But Cape Town’s Newlands was to be the stage for Australia’s fierce response. In the second Test, they roared back, but it was South African Graeme Pollock who, in pain yet undeterred, would become the match’s enduring legend. 

Australia batted first and laid down an imposing 542, with Bobby Simpson and Keith Stackpole both reaching centuries. Eddie Barlow showed grit by claiming five wickets, but South Africa’s reply was precarious from the outset. Graeme McKenzie tore through the Proteas' top order, and by the end of the second day, they were limping at 56 for 3. Among them was Pollock, nursing an injured thigh, yet unbeaten on 28, a score stitched together with boundaries struck by sheer determination.

The third day dawned bright and warm, casting Newlands in a vibrant light. But for those watching, that scenery was eclipsed by Pollock’s willpower and skill at the crease. His injury was severe, and his right leg—the essential foundation for a left-hander’s stance—was practically unusable. Pollock’s solution was ingenious and brave: he shifted his weight onto his back foot, minimizing his movement and forcing his balance to the back. This made every cover drive a precarious marvel, with his right foot often lifted off the ground. 

South Africa's wickets fell rapidly, and they soon teetered at 85 for 5. It was then that Pollock shifted gears, giving the Newlands crowd a display of unrelenting aggression and artistry. Against an Australian bowling attack eager to tighten their grip, Pollock retaliated with ferocity, crafting shots off the back foot with astonishing control and power. His elegance was compromised by his limited movement, yet his resilience imbued each stroke with purpose and audacity.

In a mere 139 balls, Pollock reached his hundred, and the onslaught continued. He drove and cut with astonishing ferocity, disregarding his physical limitations, each shot echoing through the stadium. By the time he edged a ball to HB Taber, Pollock had amassed a staggering 209 runs, embellished with thirty boundaries. It was a masterclass etched into the annals of cricket, a performance of indomitable courage that reverberates to this day.

Although Pollock’s valiant knock couldn't prevent South Africa from following on, and despite his failure in the second innings, his courage had invigorated his teammates. They fought hard, setting Australia a target of 180 in the final innings. Australia chased it down to secure victory, yet the lasting memory of that game was not their comeback, but Pollock’s heroic stand. His innings played on one good leg and an iron will remain one of cricket's greatest feats, an immortal tale of valour at Newlands. 

Pollock’s knock is part of the folklore of cricket, an enduring reminder of a batsman's spirit triumphing over adversity. His innings wasn't just about runs or statistics; it was a testament to resilience, skill, and the boundless magic of cricket at Newlands.

Thank You
Faisal Caesar

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