In the annals of cricketing greatness, few left-handers have evoked as much admiration and longing as Graeme Pollock. His name stands alongside the most sublime batsmen of all time, yet the world was denied the full measure of his genius. A prodigy at 19, a maestro by 23, and a tragic cricketing exile at 26, Pollock's tale is one of brilliance overshadowed by the politics of his homeland.
Bradman’s Seal of
Approval
Don Bradman, the undisputed monarch of batting, held Pollock
in the highest esteem. The Don had played against England’s Eddie Paynter in
the 1930s and later captained Australia with stars like Arthur Morris and Neil
Harvey. Yet when asked to name the greatest left-handed batsman he had ever
seen, Bradman singled out two: Garry Sobers and Graeme Pollock. That was no
minor accolade. It was the highest endorsement possible in cricketing circles.
A Career Cut Short
Pollock’s Test career, spanning only 26 matches over six
years, remains one of the most tragic ‘what-ifs’ of cricket history. His final
tally of 2,256 runs at an astonishing average of 60.97 remains second only to
Bradman among players who have featured in at least 20 Tests. His best innings,
a majestic 274 against Bill Lawry’s Australians at Durban, still resonates as
an unforgettable display of attacking batsmanship.
However the rise of apartheid led to South Africa’s exclusion
from international cricket. The team that had just annihilated Australia 4-0
was disbanded. Its stars—Pollock, Barry Richards, Mike Procter, Peter Pollock,
Eddie Barlow—were lost to the game at its highest level. While they found
refuge in domestic circuits, English counties, and occasional rebel tours, the
world never saw what might have been a dominant South African era in cricket.
The Making of a
Master
Graeme Pollock was a natural. His technique, power, and balance
made him an unstoppable force at the crease. Initially, he had some difficulty
scoring on the leg side, yet even with that limitation, he scored 122 in just
his third Test against Australia. Bradman, already a fan, reportedly quipped,
“Next time you decide to play like that, send me a telegram.”
By the time England toured in 1964-65, Pollock had refined
his game further. A hundred at Port Elizabeth showcased his growing ability to
dominate bowling attacks. On the subsequent tour to England, he played what he
considered his finest innings—125 in challenging overcast conditions at Trent
Bridge. John Woodcock of The Cricketer compared it to the best of Bradman’s
day, while the legendary EW Swanton called it an innings of “ease and beauty of
execution.”
Unstoppable in His Prime
Pollock’s ability to score off good balls set him apart. “He
does not need a half-volley or a long hop to score fours,” observed Christopher
Martin-Jenkins. Pollock’s captain, Ali Bacher, was even more emphatic: “If you
bowled a bad ball to him, it went for four.”
At 6’2”, he used his reach to perfection. His front-foot
drives through the off-side were majestic, his back-foot play was equally
lethal. Against Bob Simpson’s Australians in 1966-67, he showcased his
brilliance with a fighting 209 despite an injured groin. The series saw South
Africa emerge victorious, winning 3-1, with Pollock firmly establishing himself
as one of the world’s best batsmen.
However, fate had other plans. South Africa was soon
banished from world cricket. The team never played another official Test for
over two decades, and Pollock, at just 26, saw his career at the highest level
end prematurely.
The Lost Years and
Glimpses of Brilliance
Though his Test career was stolen from him, Pollock
continued to mesmerize cricket lovers in different arenas. He played for the
Rest of the World XI against England and Australia, notching up a sublime 114
at The Oval in tandem with Garry Sobers. He was also part of a silent protest
against apartheid in 1971, when he and his teammates walked off the field after
one ball in a match celebrating South Africa’s independence.
He participated in 16 unofficial ‘Tests’ against rebel
touring sides, averaging 65.52 with five centuries. His batting prowess
remained intact into the 1970s, and in 1974-75, he became the first man to
score a double hundred in List A cricket—an unbeaten 222 for Eastern Province.
Pollock finally retired in 1987, signing off in style with a
commanding 144 against an Australian rebel team. His artistry remained
untouched till the very end.
Legacy of a Forgotten
Great
Graeme Pollock’s name is often spoken with an air of wistful
regret. What if South Africa had continued in Test cricket? What records might
he have set? How many more great innings would he have played? These remain
questions of cricket’s lost possibilities.
Yet, his numbers alone tell a story of an extraordinary talent. His Test average of 60.97, his First-Class aggregate of 20,940 runs at 54.67, and his countless strokes of genius live on in cricket’s memory. In the words of Bill Lawry, after watching Pollock and Barry Richards put on a dazzling partnership in 1970: “Never have I seen the ball hit with such power by two players at the same time.”
Cricket lost a titan far too soon, but those who watched
Graeme Pollock bat knew they were witnessing something immortal. He was not
just a batsman; he was a spectacle, a lost legend whose greatness will forever
be measured by what could have been.
Thank You
Faisal Caesar
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