View source for Graeme Pollock

{{short description|South African cricketer (born 1944)}}
{{Use South African English|date=December 2013}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=December 2013}}
{{Infobox cricketer
| name = Graeme Pollock
| image = Graeme_Pollock.jpg
| caption = Pollock in 2000
| country = South Africa
| fullname = Robert Graeme Pollock
| nickname = Little Dog
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1944|02|27|df=yes}}
| birth_place = [[Durban]], [[Natal Province]], [[Union of South Africa]]
| height = 6 ft 2 in
| batting = Left-handed
| bowling = [[Leg break]]
| role = Batsman
| family = [[Andrew Maclean Pollock]] (father)<br />[[Robert Howden]] (uncle)<br />[[Peter Pollock]] (brother)<br />[[Ravenor Nicholson]] (cousin)<br />[[Christopher Robert Nicholson]] (cousin)<br />[[Andrew Graeme Pollock]] (son)<br />[[Anthony Pollock]] (son)<br />[[Shaun Pollock]] (nephew)
| international = true
| testdebutdate = 6 December
| testdebutyear = 1963
| testdebutagainst = Australia
| testcap = 218
| lasttestdate = 5 March
| lasttestyear = 1970
| lasttestagainst = Australia
| club1 = [[Eastern Province cricket team|Eastern Province]]
| year1 = {{nowrap|1960/61–1977/78}}
| club2 = [[Transvaal cricket team|Transvaal]]
| year2 = 1978/79–1986/87
| columns = 3
| column1 = [[Test cricket|Test]]
| matches1 = 23
| runs1 = 2,256
| bat avg1 = 60.97
| 100s/50s1 = 7/11
| top score1 = 274
| deliveries1 = 414
| wickets1 = 4
| bowl avg1 = 51.00
| fivefor1 = 0
| tenfor1 = 0
| best bowling1 = 2/50
| catches/stumpings1 = 17/0
| column2 = [[First-class cricket|FC]]
| matches2 = 262
| runs2 = 20,940
| bat avg2 = 54.67
| 100s/50s2 = 64/99
| top score2 = 274
| deliveries2 = 3,743
| wickets2 = 43
| bowl avg2 = 47.95
| fivefor2 = 0
| tenfor2 = 0
| best bowling2 = 3/46
| catches/stumpings2 = 248/0
| column3 = [[List A cricket|LA]]
| matches3 = 119<ref>[https://cricketarchive.com/Archive/Scorecards/28/28636.html Includes 1 match for a South African XI v Australians], (4 March 1967).</ref>
| runs3 = 4,788
| bat avg3 = 51.48
| 100s/50s3 = 13/25
| top score3 = 222[[not out|*]]
| deliveries3 = 53
| wickets3 = 0
| bowl avg3 = –
| fivefor3 = –
| tenfor3 = –
| best bowling3 = –
| catches/stumpings3 = 45/0
| date = 4 November
| year = 2008
| source = https://cricketarchive.com/Archive/Players/1/1211/1211.html CricketArchive
}}
'''Robert Graeme Pollock''' (born 27 February 1944) is a former [[cricket]]er for [[South African national cricket team|South Africa]], [[Transvaal cricket team|Transvaal]] and [[Eastern Province cricket team|Eastern Province]]. A member of a famous cricketing family,<ref name="cricpro"/><ref name="The real deal">{{cite web|url=http://content-uk.cricinfo.com/ci/content/story/128884.html|title=The real deal|date=16 July 2003|publisher=CricInfo|access-date=4 November 2008}}</ref> Pollock is widely regarded as one of South Africa's greatest ever cricketers,<ref name="century">{{cite web|url=http://content-uk.cricinfo.com/ci/content/story/87716.html|title=Pollock named South Africa's Player of the Century|last=Chesterfield|first=Trevor|date=3 January 2000|publisher=CricInfo|access-date=4 November 2008}}</ref><ref name="different era">{{cite web|url=http://content-uk.cricinfo.com/magazine/content/story/311705.html|title=Different era, same brilliance... Pt 2|last=Williamson|first=Martin|publisher=CricInfo|access-date=4 November 2008}}</ref> and as one of the greatest batsmen in the history of cricket.<ref name="cricpro" /><ref name="different era" /><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cricinfo.com/magazine/content/story/460650.html|title=An artist in the super league of left-handers|last=Houwing|first=Robert|access-date=6 June 2010}}</ref> Despite Pollock's international career being cut short at the age of 26 by the [[sporting boycott of South Africa]], and all but one of his 23 Test matches being against [[England cricket team|England]] and [[Australia cricket team|Australia]], the leading cricket nations of the day,<ref name="different era" /> he broke a number of records. His completed career Test match [[batting average (cricket)|batting average]] (twenty innings minimum) of 60.97 remains the third best behind Sir [[Don Bradman]] and [[Adam Voges]].<ref>{{Cite web|title=Records {{!}} Test matches {{!}} Batting records {{!}} Highest career batting average {{!}} ESPNcricinfo.com|url=https://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/content/records/282910.html|access-date=2021-03-20|website=Cricinfo}}</ref>

Pollock has been the recipient of numerous awards and accolades, including being voted in 1999 as South Africa's ''Cricketer of the 20th Century'',<ref name="century"/> one of Wisden's [[Wisden Cricketer of the Year|Cricketers of the Year]] in 1966,<ref name="cricpro"/> as well as being retrospectively selected in 2007 as the [[Wisden Leading Cricketer in the World]] in 1967 and 1969. In South Africa he was player of the year in 1961 and 1984, with special tributes in the S.A. Cricket annuals of 1977 and 1987. Bradman described Pollock, along with Sir [[Garfield Sobers]], as the best left-handed batsman he had ever seen play cricket.<ref name="cricpro">{{cite web|url=http://content-uk.cricinfo.com/ci/content/player/46772.html|title=Player Profile: Graeme Pollock|publisher=CricInfo|access-date=4 November 2008}}</ref>

In 2009, Pollock was inducted into the [[ICC Cricket Hall of Fame]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/ci-icc/content/story/385019.html|title=ICC and FICA launch Cricket Hall of Fame|author=Cricinfo |publisher=ESPNcricinfo |date=2 January 2009 |access-date=19 July 2019}}</ref>

==Youth and early career==
Pollock was born into a Scottish family in [[Durban]], [[Natal Province]], [[Union of South Africa]] on 27 February 1944. His grandfather was a [[Presbyterianism|Presbyterian]] minister,<ref name="GreatInnings"/> and his father, [[Andrew Maclean Pollock|Andrew]], was a former [[first-class cricket]]er with [[Orange Free State cricket team|Orange Free State]] and the [[Editor in chief|editor]] of the ''[[Eastern Province Herald]]''.<ref name="GreatInnings"/><ref>{{cite web|url=http://content-uk.cricinfo.com/southafrica/content/player/46911.html|title=Andrew Pollock|work=Player profiles|publisher=Cricinfo|access-date=6 November 2008}}</ref>
As a youth, Pollock earned the nickname ''Little Dog'':<ref name="Stars">Hayter (1970), pp. 52–65</ref>
<blockquote>
The name arose when his brother [Peter], with voice still unbroken, made queer-sounding appeals for [[Leg before wicket|l.b.w.]] The humorist, [[South Africa national cricket team|Springbok]] [[Atholl McKinnon]], said they sounded like a dog barking, and called him ''Pooch''. When Graeme joined the provincial eleven they became ''Big Dog'' and ''Little Dog''.
</blockquote>
Pollock attended [[Grey High School]]—a noted sporting school in [[Port Elizabeth]]—where he was coached by Sussex professional [[George Cox, Jr.|George Cox]] and Hampshire professional [[Tom Dean (Hampshire cricketer)|Tom Dean]].<ref name="Wisden retrospective"/><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/cricketers/tom-dean-11859|title=Player profile: Tom Dean|publisher=ESPNcricinfo|access-date=24 July 2023}}</ref> In his first match for Grey Junior, aged 9, he took all ten wickets before scoring 117 [[not out]].<ref name="Wisden retrospective"/><ref name="WCOTY">{{cite web|url=http://content-usa.cricinfo.com/wisdenalmanack/content/story/154873.html|title=Cricketer of the Year – 1966: Graeme Pollock|year=1966|work=Wisden Cricketers' Almanack – online archive|publisher=John Wisden & Co.|access-date=8 November 2008}}</ref> At one stage, he hit a six into a neighbouring cemetery and had to fetch the ball himself.<ref name="High School">{{cite web|url=http://www.greyhighschool.com/index.php/Sports/Grey-Sporting-Legends/ |title=Grey High School – Sports Legends |publisher=Grey High School |access-date=6 November 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081008071808/http://www.greyhighschool.com/index.php/Sports/Grey-Sporting-Legends/ |archive-date=8 October 2008 |df=dmy-all }}</ref> He was selected for his first match for the school [[First XI]] as a leg spinner, taking six wickets for five runs.<ref name="High School" /> At 15, Pollock was selected to represent South Africa schoolboys.<ref name="High School" />

In 1960, aged 16 and still attending [[Grey High School]], Pollock was chosen to appear for [[Eastern Province cricket team|Eastern Province]].<ref name="sports illustrated">{{cite web|url=http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/cricket/1999/world_cup/south_africa/southafrica_players/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20010712040553/http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/cricket/1999/world_cup/south_africa/southafrica_players/|url-status=dead|archive-date=12 July 2001|title=South African Squad – 1999 World Cup|date=12 May 1999|publisher=Sports Illustrated|access-date=6 November 2008}}</ref> His [[first-class cricket]] debut was against [[Border cricket team|Border]] at the [[Jan Smuts Ground]] in [[East London, Eastern Cape|East London]], where he made 54 runs before being [[run out]]. He then went on to take two wickets in Border's second innings.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://cricketarchive.com/Archive/Scorecards/24/24538.html|title=Border v Eastern Province : Currie Cup 1960/61|publisher=CricketArchive|access-date=7 November 2008}}</ref> Later that season he scored his maiden first-class [[century (cricket)|century]], scoring 102 against [[Transvaal B cricket team|Transvaal B]], becoming the youngest South African to score a first-class century.<ref name="sports illustrated"/><ref>{{cite web|url=https://cricketarchive.com/Archive/Scorecards/24/24630.html|title=Transvaal B v Eastern Province: Currie Cup 1960/61|publisher=CricketArchive|access-date=7 November 2008}}</ref> Pollock played five matches for Eastern Province in his debut season, scoring 384 runs at an [[batting average (cricket)|average]] of 48.00.<ref name="FC Batting Season">{{cite web|url=https://cricketarchive.com/Archive/Players/1/1211/f_Batting_by_Season.html|title=First-class Batting and Fielding in Each Season by Graeme Pollock|publisher=CricketArchive|access-date=7 November 2008}}</ref> In 1961, while visiting Britain with his parents, he played six matches with the [[Sussex County Cricket Club|Sussex]] Second XI.<ref name="WCOTY"/>

In the [[1962-63 South African cricket season|1962–63 South African season]], Pollock finished second in the averages, scoring 839 runs including three centuries at an average of 69.66.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://cricketarchive.com/Archive/Seasons/Seasonal_Averages/RSA/1962-63_f_Batting_by_Average.html|title=First-class Batting and Fielding in South Africa for 1962/63 (Ordered by Average)|publisher=CricketArchive|access-date=7 November 2008}}</ref> The highlight of his season was scoring 209 not out for an Eastern Province Invitational XI against the [[International Cavaliers]], which included bowlers such as [[Richie Benaud]] and [[Graham McKenzie]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://cricketarchive.com/Archive/Scorecards/25/25977.html|title=Eastern Province Invitation XI v International Cavaliers: International Cavaliers in South Africa 1962/63|publisher=CricketArchive|access-date=7 November 2008}}</ref> Benaud was to describe the innings as "magnificent", later saying "I knew I was watching a champion."<ref>Benaud (2005), p. 114.</ref> Aged 19, Pollock was the youngest South African to score a double-century in first-class cricket.<ref name="GreatInnings"/>

==Test career==

===Debut in Australia===
Pollock was 19 when he was selected for the [[South African cricket team in Australia in 1963-64|1963–64 South African cricket team's tour of Australia]].<ref name="cricpro"/> He had a disappointing start to the tour, making 1 and 0 against [[Western Australia cricket team|Western Australia]], dismissed twice by McKenzie.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://cricketarchive.com/Archive/Scorecards/26/26455.html|title=Western Australia v South Africans: South Africa in Australia 1963/64|publisher=CricketArchive|access-date=7 November 2008}}</ref> He recovered in the next match scoring 127 not out against a [[Western Australia Combined XI]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://cricketarchive.com/Archive/Scorecards/26/26458.html|title= Western Australia Combined XI v South Africans: South Africa in Australia 1963/64|publisher=CricketArchive|access-date=7 November 2008}}</ref> He made his Test debut at [[the Gabba]] in [[Brisbane]] making 25 in a rain-interrupted match before again being dismissed by McKenzie. The match was an infamous one with the Australian bowler [[Ian Meckiff]] [[no-ball]]ed for [[Throwing (cricket)|throwing]], effectively ending his career.<ref name="Wisden retrospective"/><ref>{{cite web|url=https://cricketarchive.com/Archive/Scorecards/26/26508.html|title=Australia v South Africa: South Africa in Australia 1963/64 (1st Test)|publisher=CricketArchive|access-date=7 November 2008}}</ref> Pollock was not successful in the Second Test at the [[Melbourne Cricket Ground]], making 16 and 2 as South Africa were heavily defeated by eight wickets.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://cricketarchive.com/Archive/Scorecards/26/26552.html|title=Australia v South Africa: South Africa in Australia 1963/64 (2nd Test)|publisher=CricketArchive|access-date=7 November 2008}}</ref>

Pollock's performances in the first two Tests of the series raised questions over the youngster's place, but, in the third Test in [[Sydney Cricket Ground|Sydney]], Pollock made 122 in South Africa's first innings. Bradman commented: "Next time you decide to play like that, send me a telegram".<ref name="century"/> At 19 years and 317 days he became the youngest South African to score a Test century, a record he held until it was broken by [[Lhuan-dre Pretorius]] in 2025.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.wisden.com/series/zimbabwe-vs-south-africa-m-2025/cricket-news/century-on-test-debut-teen-sensation-lhuan-dre-pretorius-breaks-graeme-pollocks-south-african-60-year-old-record|title=Century on Test debut: Teen sensation breaks Graeme Pollock’s South African 60-year-old record|publisher=Wisden|accessdate=28 June 2025}}</ref> In [[Adelaide Oval|Adelaide]], in the fourth Test, Pollock and [[Eddie Barlow]] shared a South African third-wicket record partnership of 341; Pollock hitting 175 and Barlow 201. South Africa won the Test by 10 wickets to level the series 1–1. Pollock finished his maiden series with 399 runs to his name, at an average of 57.00. During Pollock's innings of 17 in the drawn fifth Test, he suffered an injury which resulted in him missing the first two Tests of the New Zealand tour which followed.<ref name="Stars"/>

===Home and away against England===
England toured South Africa in 1964–65 under the captaincy of [[M. J. K. Smith|Mike Smith]]. Pollock was selected in all five Tests against the tourists. England won the First Test at [[Kingsmead cricket ground, Durban|Kingsmead]] convincingly by an innings and 104 runs, with Pollock making 5 and a first ball [[duck (cricket)|duck]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://cricketarchive.com/Archive/Scorecards/27/27177.html|title=South Africa v England: Marylebone Cricket Club in South Africa 1964/65 (1st Test)|publisher=CricketArchive|access-date=7 November 2008}}</ref> The remaining Tests were all drawn.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://content-aus.cricinfo.com/wisdenalmanack/content/story/152336.html?from=login|title=M.C.C. team in South Africa, 1964–65|year=1966|work=Wisden Cricketers' Almanack – online edition|publisher=John Wisden & Co.|access-date=7 November 2008}}</ref> In the final Test at [[Sahara Oval St George's|St George's Park]], Pollock made 137 in the first innings, with ''[[Wisden Cricketers' Almanack]]'' describing it as "a splendid century, distinguished by many drives past cover and mid-on."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://content-aus.cricinfo.com/wisdenalmanack/content/story/152341.html|title=Fifth Test: South Africa v England|year=1966|work=Wisden Cricketers' Almanack – online edition|publisher=John Wisden & Co.|access-date=7 November 2008}}</ref> In the second, he made an unbeaten 77.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://cricketarchive.com/Archive/Scorecards/27/27290.html|title=South Africa v England: Marylebone Cricket Club in South Africa 1964/65 (5th Test)|publisher=CricketArchive|access-date=7 November 2008}}</ref> In the Tests, Pollock made 459 runs at an average of 57.37.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://cricketarchive.com/Archive/Events/RSA/Marylebone_Cricket_Club_in_South_Africa_1964-65/t_South_Africa_Batting.html|title=Test Batting and Fielding for South Africa: Marylebone Cricket Club in South Africa 1964/65|publisher=CricketArchive|access-date=7 November 2008}} Note that England national team toured under the banner of Marylebone Cricket Club until 1977.</ref>

Pollock was included to [[South African cricket team in England in 1965|tour England with the South African team in 1965]]. In the Second Test at [[Trent Bridge]], Pollock made 125, an innings he described in his autobiography as his best.<ref name="Smith">Smith (1996) pp. 126–135.</ref> He made his runs out of 160 added in 140 minutes, the last 91 of his runs coming in 70 minutes. He had come in at 16/2, and the score had declined to 80/5, before his partnerships with the captain [[Peter van der Merwe (cricketer)|Peter van der Merwe]] and with [[Richard Dumbrill (cricketer)|Richard Dumbrill]] enabled the score to reach 269. [[John Woodcock (cricket writer)|John Woodcock]] wrote in ''[[The Cricketer]]'', "Not since Bradman's day could anyone recall having seen an English attack treated in such cavalier style." while the same correspondent in ''[[The Times]]'' said, "I can think of no innings played against England since the [Second World] war which was so critical and commanding: I can think of none more beautifully played."<ref name="Smith" /> [[E.W. Swanton]] wrote in ''[[The Daily Telegraph]]'' that it was an innings "which in point of style and power, of ease and beauty of execution is fit to rank with anything in the annals of the game."<ref>E.W. Swanton, ''Sort of a Cricket Person'' (1972), p 207.</ref> In the second innings, Pollock scored 59. It was a notable match for the Pollock brothers; older brother [[Peter Pollock|Peter]] took 10 wickets in total as South Africa won the match and, therefore, the three Test series 1–0.<ref name="sc 3rd test 1965">{{cite web|url=http://content-uk.cricinfo.com/ci/engine/match/62982.html|title=England v South Africa, 1965, 3rd Test|publisher=CricInfo|access-date=6 November 2008}}</ref> His performances during that English season saw him named as one of the [[Wisden Cricketers of the Year]] in 1966, acclaimed as "one of the most accomplished batsmen in contemporary cricket".<ref name="WCOTY" />

===Success then isolation===
In 1966–67, [[Bob Simpson (cricketer)|Bob Simpson]] led his Australian team to South Africa for a five Test series. The South Africans won the First Test at [[Wanderers Stadium|Wanderers]] after trailing by 126 after the first innings and scoring 620 runs in the second innings. Pollock scored 90 from 104 balls.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://cricketarchive.com/Archive/Scorecards/28/28562.html|title=South Africa v Australia: Australia in South Africa 1966/67 (1st Test)|publisher=CricketArchive|access-date=8 November 2008}}</ref> Describing Pollock's innings, ''Wisden'' said "[he] looked without peer and his timing, placing and wristwork were an object lesson for the purist."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://content-www.cricinfo.com/wisdenalmanack/content/story/152392.html|title= First Test: South Africa v Australia|year=1968|work=Wisden Cricketers' Almanack – online archive|publisher=John Wisden & Co.|access-date=8 November 2008}}</ref> In the Second Test at [[Newlands Cricket Ground|Newlands]], responding to an Australian total of 542, Pollock made 209 runs from a team total of 353 despite batting with an injured groin which restricted his footwork and running.<ref name="Stars"/> South Africa, however, were unable to avoid the follow-on and eventually lost the match by 6 wickets.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://cricketarchive.com/Archive/Scorecards/28/28573.html|title=South Africa v Australia: Australia in South Africa 1966/67 (2nd Test)|publisher=CricketArchive|access-date=8 November 2008}}</ref> The Third Test was played at Kingsmead in Durban and Pollock made 67 not out in the second innings, with [[Ali Bacher]] batting South Africa to an eight wicket victory.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://cricketarchive.com/Archive/Scorecards/28/28595.html|title=South Africa v Australia: Australia in South Africa 1966/67 (3rd Test)|publisher=CricketArchive|access-date=8 November 2008}}</ref> The Fourth Test saw rain deny South Africa an almost certain victory.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://content-www.cricinfo.com/wisdenalmanack/content/story/152394.html|title=Fourth Test: South Africa v Australia|year=1968|work=Wisden Cricketers' Almanack – online archive|publisher=John Wisden & Co.|access-date=8 November 2008}}</ref> The final Test at Port Elizabeth saw Pollock, on his birthday, score another century as South Africa won the match by seven wickets to clinch the series three Tests to one.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://content-www.cricinfo.com/wisdenalmanack/content/story/152395.html|title=Fifth Test South Africa v Australia|year=1968|work=Wisden Cricketers' Almanack – online archive|publisher=John Wisden & Co.|access-date=8 November 2008}}</ref> For the series, Pollock scored 537 runs at an average of 76.71, trailing only [[Denis Lindsay (cricketer)|Denis Lindsay]] on both measures for the South Africans.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://cricketarchive.com/Archive/Events/RSA/Australia_in_South_Africa_1966-67/t_South_Africa_Batting.html|title=Test Batting and Fielding for South Africa: Australia in South Africa 1966/67|publisher=CricketArchive|access-date=8 November 2008}}</ref>

Pollock and the South Africans were due to play England at home in 1968–69, but tensions stemming from the South African government's apartheid policy came to a head when South African-born [[Basil D'Oliveira]]—of [[Cape Coloured]] ancestry—was chosen in the England touring team to replace the injured [[Tom Cartwright]].<ref>Oborne (2004), p. 222.</ref> The South African [[Prime Minister of South Africa|Prime Minister]] [[B. J. Vorster]] denounced the English team as the "team of the anti-apartheid" movement and refused to allow the team to enter South Africa with D'Oliveira in place. The tour was therefore cancelled.<ref>Oborne (2004), pp. 223–224.</ref>

South Africa's last Test series before their expulsion from international cricket was against [[Bill Lawry]]'s Australians. The Australians had just completed a gruelling tour of India in vastly different playing conditions before coming to South Africa. Pollock's form continued into the series and he averaged 73.85. Pollock managed to break [[Jackie McGlew]]'s South African Test record of 255 when he scored 274 in the 2nd Test in Durban. When Pollock was batting in this innings with [[Barry Richards (cricketer)|Barry Richards]], the opposing captain, Bill Lawry, said about this innings: "Never have I seen the ball hit with such power by two players at the same time."<ref name="GreatInnings">Roebuck, pp. 48–50.</ref> He held this record for nearly thirty years until [[Daryll Cullinan]] scored 275 not out against [[New Zealand national cricket team|New Zealand]] in 1999.<ref name="cricpro"/> Pollock was 26 years of age when his Test career was brought to an end.

==Post-Test career==
When the scheduled South African tour of England in 1970 was cancelled, a [[Rest of the World cricket team in England in 1970|tour by a "Rest of the World" side]] was arranged to fill the gap. The side, of which Pollock was a member, played five games against England which were promoted at the time as "Tests," but which are not now recognised as such. Pollock had a poor series by his standards, but he did make 114 in the final match at [[The Oval]], sharing in a fifth wicket partnership of 165 with Gary Sobers.

[[International isolation]] was keenly felt by the South African team at the time, including Pollock, and the players took measures to try to reverse the looming sporting boycott.<ref name="Gemmell">{{cite book|last=Gemmell|first=Jon|title=The Politics of South African Cricket|publisher=Routledge|location=London|year=2004|isbn=0-7146-5346-2|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=CTIZdi9DjBQC&q=We+fully+support+the+South+African+Cricket+Association%27s+application+to+include+non-whites+on+the+tour+to+Australia+if+good+enough&pg=PA94}}</ref> In 1971, Pollock took part in a protest organised by Barry Richards and [[Mike Procter]] against the South African government's [[apartheid]] policy as it referred to cricket. During a match to celebrate the tenth anniversary of the [[South African referendum, 1960|formation of the Republic of South Africa]], the players from both teams walked off after one ball, issuing a joint statement: <blockquote>We cricketers feel that the time has come for an expression of our views. We fully support the South African Cricket Association's application to invite non-whites to tour Australia, if they are good enough, and further subscribe to merit being the only criterion on the cricket field.<ref name="Gemmell"/></blockquote>

During South Africa's international isolation, Pollock played in 16 [[South African rebel tours|unofficial Test matches against breakaway teams]] from England, Sri Lanka, the West Indies and Australia. He ended his international career at the age of 42 with a 144 against the rebel Australian team that toured South Africa in 1987.<ref name="sc 4th Test 1987">{{cite web|url=http://uk.cricinfo.com/db/ARCHIVE/1980S/1986-87/OTHERS+ICC/AUS-XI_IN_RSA/AUS-XI_RSA-XI_REBEL-T4_30JAN-04FEB1987.html|title=South Africa v Australian XI, 1987, 4th Test|publisher=CricInfo|access-date=6 November 2008}}</ref> He scored 1376 runs, including 5 centuries, at an average of 65.52.

Pollock continued playing first-class cricket for Eastern Province and Transvaal until his retirement from the first-class game in the 1986–87 season at the age of 43. He made 20,940 runs in first-class cricket, including 64 centuries and 99 fifties, at an average of 54.67. Despite offers,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://content-uk.cricinfo.com/ci/content/story/75832.html|title=Learn to promote students of game|last=Pollock|first=Graeme|date=5 July 1998|publisher=Cricinfo|access-date=12 November 2008}}</ref> Pollock never played in [[English cricket|English domestic cricket]], once stating that "the domestic grind was not 'my type of game'".<ref name="century"/><ref name="different era" /> Limited overs matches were introduced some time after his career began, and he played 112 innings in the shorter form of the game, tallying 4,656 runs at an average of over 50. In 1974–75 Pollock scored 222 not out for Eastern Province against [[Border cricket team|Border]] in the [[Gillette Cup (South Africa)|Gillette Cup]],<ref>{{cite web|url=https://cricketarchive.com/Archive/Scorecards/34/34722.html|title=Border v Eastern Province: Gillette Cup (South Africa) 1974/75 (1st Round)|publisher=CricketArchive|access-date=12 November 2008}}</ref> this was the first double century in [[List A cricket]] and remained the highest individual innings until 2002 when surpassed by [[Ali Brown]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://cricketarchive.com/Archive/Records/ListA/Overall/Highest_Player_Scores.html|title=Individual Scores of 150 and More in a ListA Match|publisher=CricketArchive|access-date=12 November 2008|archive-date=19 April 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160419152201/http://www.cricketarchive.com/Archive/Records/ListA/Overall/Highest_Player_Scores.html|url-status=dead}}</ref>

By the time of his retirement in 1988, Pollock was already "established in cricket administration: president of the South African Cricket Players' Association, board member and team selector with the Transvaal Cricket Council."<ref name="Wisden retrospective"/> He was appointed a Test selector by the [[Cricket South Africa|United Cricket Board]] in 2000,<ref name="selection panel">{{cite web|url=http://content-uk.cricinfo.com/ci/content/story/89407.html|title=Pollock, Ackerman join selection panel|last=Robinson|first=Peter|date=31 July 2000|publisher=CricInfo|access-date=6 November 2008}}</ref> a post he held until 2002,<ref name="convene">{{cite web|url=http://content-uk.cricinfo.com/southafrica/content/story/119803.html|title=Henry to convene new South African selection panel|last=Robinson|first=Paul|date=15 May 2002|publisher=CricInfo|access-date=6 November 2008}}</ref> at which point he was appointed as a batting coach to the South African team.<ref name="UCB consultant">{{cite web|url=http://content-uk.cricinfo.com/ci/content/story/111889.html|title=Graeme Pollock appointed as UCB batting consultant|last=Wilkinson|first=Bronwyn|date=7 August 2002|publisher=CricInfo|access-date=6 November 2008}}</ref>

Pollock, together with Gary Sobers, was honoured by being chosen to present the match awards following the [[2003 Cricket World Cup]] Final in Johannesburg.<ref name="podium">{{cite web|url=http://content-uk.cricinfo.com/ci/content/story/130387.html|title=Sobers and Pollock will grace final podium|publisher=WCOC Press Release|access-date=6 November 2008}}</ref>

On 26 November 2013, the Centurion pavilion at [[St George's Oval]] was renamed the "Graeme Pollock Pavilion" in honour of his contribution to cricket.

==Playing style==
Standing at {{convert|6|ft|2|in|m|2}}, Pollock used his height well to get to the pitch of the ball,<ref name="Wisden retrospective">{{cite web|url=http://content-www.cricinfo.com/wisdenalmanack/content/story/153088.html|title=A 'genius' of a batsman, 1988 Graeme Pollock – a retrospective|year=1988|publisher=John Wisden|access-date=6 November 2008}}</ref> and utilised a strong sense of timing.<ref name="cricpro"/> He had an upright batting stance and his footwork was balanced and correct.<ref name="century" /> He used a heavy bat and liked to play the [[Batting (cricket)#Drive|cover drive]]. To rectify an apparent weakness on the [[leg side]], Pollock developed a very good [[Batting (cricket)#Pull and hook|pull]] and [[Batting (cricket)#Drive|leg drive]].<ref name="Hartman">{{cite web|url=http://content-uk.cricinfo.com/ci/content/story/231051.html|title=When they were kings|last=Hartman|first=Rodney|date=January 2006|publisher=Cricinfo|access-date=7 November 2008}}</ref> With his power, he was able to find the gaps in the field, allowing him to score quickly.<ref name="Richards">{{cite web|url=http://content-uk.cricinfo.com/ci/content/story/128600.html|title='Batting should entertain' – Interview with Barry Richards|last=Bhattacharya|first=Rahul |date=3 July 2003|publisher=Cricinfo|quote=He hit the gaps better than any player I have seen in my life&nbsp; ... I mean, you might as well have had stones as fielders – hit the stone, you get nothing; miss the stone, you get four|access-date=7 November 2008}}</ref> His style of batting was aggressive, not waiting for poor deliveries when looking to score:

{{blockquote|Pollock does not need a half-volley or a long hop to score fours: he will drive on the up, or cut, force and pull anything even fractionally short of a good length|[[Christopher Martin-Jenkins]]|<ref name="WhosWho">Martin-Jenkins (1980), p. 276</ref>}}

Aside from his batting abilities, Pollock was also an occasional [[leg-spin]]ner.<ref name="WhosWho"/> His teammate [[Jackie McGlew]] claimed Pollock could have made an outstanding bowler—"He bowled right over the top and really made the ball 'fizz'"—but he bowled mainly for enjoyment and with a light heart.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.stgeorgespark.nmmu.ac.za/content/personalities/displayarticle.asp?artid=persp_001|title=Graeme Pollock: Simply One of the Greatest|last=McGlew|first=Jackie|year=1984|work=Protea Cricket Annual of South Africa|publisher=in St Georges Park History|access-date=7 November 2008}}</ref> In total, he took 4 Test wickets and 43 in first-class cricket. He was also a naturally gifted [[Fielding (cricket)|fielder]].<ref name="WhosWho"/>

==Personal life==
[[File:Shaun Pollock.JPG|thumb|150px|right|Pollock's nephew, [[Shaun Pollock|Shaun]], played 108 Tests]] Pollock's Scottish immigrant father [[Andrew Maclean Pollock|Andrew Pollock]] played cricket for Orange Free State, while his brother, [[Peter Pollock]], was a leading fast bowler who played 28 Test matches for South Africa. Both of Graeme Pollock's sons, [[Anthony Pollock]] and [[Andrew Graeme Pollock]], played cricket for Transvaal and Gauteng, while his nephew, [[Shaun Pollock]] (son of Peter), retired from the South African Test team in 2008, played in 108 Test matches, captained the country from 2000 to 2003 and was South Africa's leading wicket-taker before being overtaken by [[Dale Steyn]].

In 2003, Pollock expressed his thoughts about the [[sporting boycott of South Africa]]:
:I was twenty-four. We did not give too much thought to the people who were not given the opportunities. In hindsight we certainly could have done much more in trying to get change to Southern Africa. [...] We had a good series against Australia in '67 and we probably had our best side ever. [...] Poor old Barry (Richards) played just four Tests, Mike Procter seven. But at the same time [the protesters] got it absolutely right that the way to bring about change in South Africa was in sport. It was difficult for twenty-two years ... but in hindsight it was needed and I'm delighted it did achieve change in South Africa.
:—Graeme Pollock<ref>Oborne (2004), pp. 251–252.</ref>

==Statistical analysis==
{| class="wikitable" style="margin: 1em auto 1em auto; width:80%"
|-
!colspan=2| &nbsp;
!colspan=4| Batting<ref name="batsum">{{cite web
 |url        = http://stats.cricinfo.com/statsguru/engine/player/46772.html?class=1;template=results;type=batting
 |archive-url = https://archive.today/20120527041603/http://stats.cricinfo.com/statsguru/engine/player/46772.html?class=1;template=results;type=batting
 |url-status   = dead
 |archive-date = 27 May 2012
 |title      = Statsguru&nbsp;— RG Pollock&nbsp;— Test matches&nbsp;— Batting analysis
 |access-date = 6 November 2008
 |publisher  = [[Cricinfo]]
}}</ref>
!colspan=4|Bowling<ref name="bowlsum">{{cite web
|url=http://stats.cricinfo.com/statsguru/engine/player/46772.html?class=1;template=results;type=bowling
|access-date=6 November 2008
|title=Statsguru&nbsp;— RG Pollock&nbsp;— Test Bowling&nbsp;— Bowling analysis
|publisher=[[Cricinfo]]}}</ref>
|-
! style="text-align:left;" | Opposition
!| Matches
!| Runs
!| Average
!| High Score
!| 100 / 50
!| Runs
!| Wickets
!| Average
!| Best (Inns)
|- style="text-align:right;"
| style="text-align:left;" | {{cr|Australia}}
|| 14
|| 1,453
|| 69.19
|| 274
|| 5/5
|| 13
|| 0
||&nbsp;–
||&nbsp;–
|- style="text-align:right;"
| style="text-align:left;" | {{cr|England}}
|| 8
|| 750
|| 53.57
|| 137
|| 2/6
|| 360
|| 4
|| 43.75
|| 2/50
|- style="text-align:right;"
| style="text-align:left;" | {{cr|New Zealand}}
|| 1
|| 53
|| 26.50
|| 30
|| 0/0
|| 16
|| 0
||&nbsp;–
||&nbsp;–
|- style="text-align:right; border-top:solid 2px grey;"
| style="text-align:left;" | Overall
|| 23
|| 2,256
|| 60.97
|| 274
|| 7/11
|| 204
|| 4
|| 51.00
|| 2/50
|}

{{Test cricket batting averages}}
{| class="wikitable" align="center" style="font-size: 100%; width:100%"
!colspan=7|Graeme Pollock's Test Centuries<ref name="highscores">{{cite web|url=http://stats.cricinfo.com/statsguru/engine/player/46772.html?class=1;template=results;type=batting;view=innings|title=RG Pollock – Test matches – Batting analysis – High scores|publisher=CricInfo|access-date=4 November 2008}}</ref>
|-
! width="40"| !! width="50"|Runs !! width="50"|Match !! width="100"|Against !! width="150"|City/Country !! width="200"|Venue !! width="50"|Year
|-
| '''[1]''' || 122 || 3 || {{cr|Australia}} || Sydney, Australia || [[Sydney Cricket Ground]] || 1964
|-
| '''[2]''' || 175 || 4 || {{cr|Australia}} || [[Adelaide]], Australia || [[Adelaide Oval]] || 1964
|-
| '''[3]''' || 137 || 11|| {{cr|England}} || [[Port Elizabeth]], South Africa || [[St George's Oval|St George's Park]] || 1965
|-
| '''[4]''' || 125 || 13 || {{cr|England}} || [[Nottingham]], England || [[Trent Bridge]] || 1965
|-
| '''[5]''' || 209 || 16 || {{cr|Australia}} || [[Cape Town]], South Africa || [[Sahara Park Newlands]] || 1966
|-
| '''[6]''' || 105 || 19 || {{cr|Australia}} || [[Port Elizabeth]], South Africa || [[St George's Oval|St George's Park]] || 1967
|-
| '''[7]''' || 274 || 21 || {{cr|Australia}} || [[Durban]], South Africa || [[Kingsmead cricket ground, Durban|Kingsmead]] || 1970
|-
|}
[[File:Graeme Pollock Graph.png|left|thumb|450px|An innings-by-innings breakdown of Pollock's Test match batting career, showing runs scored (red bars) and the average of the last 10&nbsp;innings (blue line).<ref name="testlist">{{cite web|url=http://stats.cricinfo.com/statsguru/engine/player/46772.html?class=1;template=results;type=allround;view=innings|title= Statsguru – RG Pollock- Test matches – All-round analysis |access-date=15 April 2008| publisher=[[Cricinfo]]}}</ref>]]
{{Clear}}

==Notes==
{{Reflist}}

==References==
'''Printed'''
* {{cite book|last=Benaud|first=Richie|author-link=Richie Benaud|title=My Spin on Cricket|publisher=Hodder & Staughton|location=London|year=2005|isbn=0-340-83393-9|url-access=registration|url=https://archive.org/details/isbn_9780340833933}}
* {{cite book|last=Hayter|first=Reg|title=Cricket: Stars of Today|year=1970|publisher=Pelham|location=London|isbn=0-7207-0378-6}}
* {{cite book|last=Martin-Jenkins|first=Christopher|author-link=Christopher Martin-Jenkins|title=The Complete Who's Who of Test Cricketers|publisher=Rigby|location=Adelaide|year=1980|isbn=0-7270-1262-2}}
* {{cite book|last=Oborne|first=Peter|author-link=Peter Oborne|title=Basil D'Oliveira – Cricket and Conspiracy: The Untold Story|publisher=Little Brown|location=London|year=2004|isbn=0-316-72572-2}}
* {{cite book|last=Roebuck|first=Peter|author-link=Peter Roebuck|title=Great Innings|publisher=Pan|location=Sydney|year=1990|isbn=0-7329-0359-9}}
* {{cite book|last=Smith|first=Rick|title=Great Days in Test Cricket|publisher=ABC Books|location=Sydney|year=1996|isbn=0-7333-0536-9}}

'''Website'''
* {{cite web|url=http://www.cricinfo.com/ci/content/site/451900.html|title=Graeme Pollock – A batsman of rare genius|work=[[Cricinfo]]}}
* {{cite web|url=http://www.cricinfo.com/ci/content/site/451900.html?channel=344641;program=903026|title=They just rocketed to the boundary|work=[[Cricinfo]]}}
* {{cite web|url=http://www.cricinfo.com/ci/content/site/451900.html?channel=344641;program=903029|title=He would probably have broken every record|work=[[Cricinfo]]}}
* {{cite web|url=http://www.cricinfo.com/ci/content/site/451900.html?channel=344641;program=903028|title=South Africa's player of the century|work=[[Cricinfo]]}}

==External links==
* {{ESPNcricinfo|id=46772}}

{{Portal|Cricket}}
{{World XI Tour of Australia 1971/72}}
{{Batsmen with a Test batting average above 50}}
{{ICC Cricket Hall of Fame}}
{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Pollock, Graeme}}
[[Category:1944 births]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Cricketers from Durban]]
[[Category:South Africa Test cricketers]]
[[Category:South African cricketers]]
[[Category:Eastern Province cricketers]]
[[Category:International Cavaliers cricketers]]
[[Category:Gauteng cricketers]]
[[Category:South African people of British descent]]
[[Category:South African people of Scottish descent]]
[[Category:Wisden Cricketers of the Year]]
[[Category:Wisden Leading Cricketers in the World]]
[[Category:South African cricket coaches]]
[[Category:Alumni of Grey High School]]