Graeme Pollock facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
Graeme Pollock

Pollock in 2000
Personal information
Full name	Robert Graeme Pollock
Born	(1944-02-27) 27 February 1944 (age 81) Durban, Natal Province, Union of South Africa
Nickname	Little Dog
Height	6 ft 2 in (188 cm)
Batting	Left-handed
Bowling	Leg break
Role	Batsman
Relations	Andrew Maclean Pollock (father) Robert Howden (uncle) Peter Pollock (brother) Ravenor Nicholson (cousin) Christopher Robert Nicholson (cousin) Andrew Graeme Pollock (son) Anthony Pollock (son) Shaun Pollock (nephew)
International information
National side	South Africa
Test debut (cap 218)	6 December 1963 v Australia
Last Test	5 March 1970 v Australia
Domestic team information
Years	Team
1960/61–1977/78	Eastern Province
1978/79–1986/87	Transvaal
Career statistics
Competition Test FC LA Matches 23 262 119 Runs scored 2,256 20,940 4,788 Batting average 60.97 54.67 51.48 100s/50s 7/11 64/99 13/25 Top score 274 274 222* Balls bowled 414 3,743 53 Wickets 4 43 0 Bowling average 51.00 47.95 – 5 wickets in innings 0 0 – 10 wickets in match 0 0 – Best bowling 2/50 3/46 – Catches/stumpings 17/0 248/0 45/0
Source: CricketArchive, 4 November 2008

Robert Graeme Pollock (born 27 February 1944) is a famous former cricketer from South Africa. He played for the national team, Transvaal, and Eastern Province. Many people think Pollock is one of South Africa's best cricketers ever. He is also seen as one of the greatest batsmen in cricket history.

Pollock's international career ended early when he was just 26. This was because of a boycott against South Africa. Even so, he played 23 Test matches, mostly against top teams like England and Australia. He set many records. His Test batting average of 60.97 is still the third best ever, after Sir Don Bradman and Adam Voges.

Graeme Pollock has received many awards. In 1999, he was voted South Africa's Cricketer of the 20th Century. He was also a Wisden Cricketer of the Year in 1966. In 2007, he was named the Wisden Leading Cricketer in the World for 1967 and 1969. Sir Don Bradman, a legendary cricketer, said Pollock and Sir Garfield Sobers were the best left-handed batsmen he had ever seen. In 2009, Pollock joined the ICC Cricket Hall of Fame.

Early Life and Cricket Start

Graeme Pollock was born in Durban, Natal Province, Union of South Africa, on 27 February 1944. His family had Scottish roots. His father, Andrew, also played first-class cricket.

The "Little Dog" Nickname

When Graeme was young, he got the nickname Little Dog. This happened because his older brother, Peter Pollock, made funny sounds when appealing for wickets. A teammate joked that it sounded like a dog barking, calling Peter "Pooch." When Graeme joined the team, they became "Big Dog" and "Little Dog."

School Cricket Success

Pollock went to Grey High School in Port Elizabeth, known for its sports. He was coached by professional cricketers. In his first game for Grey Junior at age 9, he took all ten wickets and then scored 117 runs without being out. He even hit a six into a cemetery! At 15, he was chosen to play for the South Africa schoolboys' team.

First-Class Debut

In 1960, at just 16, Pollock played his first first-class cricket match for Eastern Province. He scored 54 runs. Later that season, he scored his first century (102 runs), becoming the youngest South African to do so. In his first season, he scored 384 runs with an average of 48.00.

In the 1962–63 season, Pollock scored 839 runs, including three centuries. He made 209 runs not out against the International Cavaliers. This made him the youngest South African to score a double-century in first-class cricket.

Test Cricket Career

Debut in Australia

Pollock was 19 when he joined the South African team touring Australia in 1963–64. He made his Test debut in Brisbane. In the third Test in Sydney, Pollock scored 122 runs. At 19 years and 317 days, he became the youngest South African to score a Test century. This record still stands today.

In the fourth Test in Adelaide, Pollock scored 175 runs. He and Eddie Barlow made a huge partnership of 341 runs. South Africa won this match, making the series level. Pollock finished his first Test series with 399 runs, averaging 57.00.

Playing Against England

In 1964–65, England toured South Africa. Pollock played in all five Tests. In the final Test at St George's Park, he scored 137 runs in the first innings and 77 not out in the second.

In 1965, Pollock toured England with the South African team. In the Second Test at Trent Bridge, he scored 125 runs. Cricket experts praised this innings, calling it one of the best ever. His brother, Peter Pollock, also did well, taking 10 wickets. South Africa won the match and the series. Because of his great performances, Graeme Pollock was named one of the Wisden Cricketers of the Year in 1966.

Success and International Isolation

In 1966–67, Australia toured South Africa. Pollock continued his excellent form. In the Second Test at Newlands, he scored 209 runs despite having an injured leg. In the final Test, he scored another century on his birthday. South Africa won the series three Tests to one. Pollock scored 537 runs in the series, averaging 76.71.

South Africa's last Test series before being banned from international cricket was against Australia. Pollock scored 274 runs in the second Test in Durban. This broke Jackie McGlew's South African Test record of 255 runs. He held this record for almost 30 years. Pollock was only 26 when his Test career ended due to the international boycott.

Life After Test Cricket

Playing During Isolation

When South Africa was banned from international cricket, Pollock played in unofficial matches. He was part of a "Rest of the World" team that played against England in 1970. He also played in 16 unofficial Test matches against teams from other countries that toured South Africa. He scored 144 runs in his last unofficial match at age 42.

Protesting for Change

During South Africa's isolation, cricketers like Pollock wanted to see change. In 1971, Pollock joined a protest against the South African government's apartheid policy. In a special match, players from both teams walked off the field after just one ball. They released a statement saying they supported inviting non-white players to tour Australia based on skill.

Pollock later shared his thoughts on the boycott. He said it was difficult for 22 years. But he also said that the protests helped bring about important changes in South Africa.

Retirement from First-Class Cricket

Pollock continued playing first-class cricket for Eastern Province and Transvaal until 1987, retiring at age 43. He scored 20,940 runs in first-class cricket, including 64 centuries. He also played in shorter, limited-overs matches, scoring 4,656 runs. In 1974–75, he scored 222 not out in a limited-overs match, which was a record for many years.

After retiring, Pollock became involved in cricket administration. He was a Test selector for the United Cricket Board and later a batting coach for the South African team. In 2013, the Centurion pavilion at St George's Oval was renamed the "Graeme Pollock Pavilion" in his honour.

Playing Style

Graeme Pollock was tall, standing at 6 feet 2 inches (1.88 metres). He used his height well when batting. He had a strong sense of timing and a balanced batting stance. He used a heavy bat and loved to play the cover drive. He was known for hitting the ball with great power. He didn't wait for bad balls; he would score quickly.

One cricket writer said, "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."

Pollock was also an occasional leg-spin bowler. His teammate Jackie McGlew said Pollock could have been an amazing bowler. He also was a very good fielder.

Pollock's Cricket Family

Pollock's nephew, Shaun, played 108 Tests

Cricket runs in the Pollock family! Graeme's father, Andrew, played cricket. His brother, Peter Pollock, was a top fast bowler for South Africa. Both of Graeme's sons, Anthony Pollock and Andrew Graeme Pollock, played cricket. His nephew, Shaun Pollock (Peter's son), was also a famous South African cricketer. Shaun played 108 Test matches and was captain from 2000 to 2003.