Shaun Pollock, one of the world’s best all-rounders and certainly South Africa’s best, finally hung up his cricketing boots as South Africa beat the West Indies in the recently concluded Test series.

In a career spanning 12 years, he was often the backbone of the team, if not punching holes in the opposition batting with his accurate bowling, then by his resolute batting, which often pulled the Safs out of trouble just when needed most.

He is also only the fourth cricketer to achieve the double of scoring 3000+ runs and taking 400+ wickets, the others being Kapil Dev, Richard Hadlee and Shane Warne, which puts his achievement in perspective.

I thought he was a good captain too, pitchforked into the top job when the Cronje scandal blew up. The only blip came about during the World Cup in 2003, when his miscalculation on the Duckworth-Lewis method handed Sri Lanka the match, and pushed South Africa out of the tournament. Quite predictably, he lost the captaincy soon after.

The best thing I liked about him and his style was that it was understated, never the in your face kind. He was also a “nice guy”, something which is becoming a rarity in world cricket now, and I hardly ever recall seeing him lose his cool or snarl and sledge away at the opposition batsmen.

Sample his humility…

I’d like to thank Cricket South Africa for allowing me the opportunity of representing my country for the last 12 years. I thoroughly enjoy the honour and privilege of wearing the Protea badge and take with me some remarkable memories having played against some great players. I realise I have been blessed by God and feel I have nurtured my talents to the best of my abilities.

 

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