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Deserving of honor S. Africa names Graeme Pollock cricketer of century
Posted: Sunday January 02, 2000 02:20 PM
CAPE TOWN, South Africa (AP) -- Graeme Pollock, whose test average of 60.97 runs is second only to Australia's Donald Bradman, was announced as South Africa's cricketer of the century Sunday. The 55-year-old left-handed batsman, selected for the honor by a national panel of experts, was greeted with tumultuous applause during a colorful ceremony at tea time on the first day of South Africa's fourth test against England at Newlands. All 10 nominees or their survivors were introduced to the crowd with the largest roar reserved when Sports Minister Ngconde Balfour announced Pollock's name. Pollock, who played in only 23 tests before South Africa's sporting isolation in 1970 due to apartheid, scored 2,256 runs, including his all-time high of 274 against Australia Feb. 5-9, 1970, in Durban. He played his last test for South Africa March 5-10, 1970 at 26. Until Gary Kirsten managed the feat earlier this week, he also had been the only South African to achieve two double centuries in test play. "When my name was called out I was quite speechless," Pollock said. "It was a very emotional moment. Frankly I would rather have gone out there and faced a few deliveries from Michael Holding or Wes Hall than have to make a speech. I didn't know what I was going to say." Coming from a cricket family in which his father kept wicket for Orange Free State and his brother, Peter, and nephew Shaun, both who have played for South Africa, Pollock hit a first-class century at 16. In a career, which eared him numerous honors, Pollock pointed to his century against England Aug. 5-9, 1965, as his most memorable moment. "It's a difficult choice to make from a career which lasted 27 years, but I would have to say I most cherish the 125 I scored against England in 1965 at Trent Bridge," he said. The other players nominated included Basil D'Oliveira, a mixed-race player who made an emotional appearance on a test ground which could have been his home base had it not been for apartheid. He eventually played 44 tests for England. Also nominated were Allan Donald, Hugh Tayfield, Aubrey Faulkner, Barry Richards, Dudley Nourse and Mike Procter. The two final nominees were Eric Petersen, an off-break bowler who was virtually unplayable on the matting wickets on which his cricket had to be played during apartheid. Petersen is also of mixed race. Also nominated was Frank Roro, who scored 20 centuries in black provincial cricket, and 100 in club cricket.
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