Top 3 Performances of Shaun Pollock in International Cricket
Shaun Pollock is one of the finest all-rounders to have played for South Africa. He was primarily a right-arm seamer who could also contribute with the bat in the lower order. Pollock also had a very sharp mind, which helped South Africa win many matches when he was the captain of the national team.
Carrying the massive weight of the expectations that come with the legendary South African cricketing surname—as the son of Peter Pollock and nephew of Graeme Pollock—he didn’t just live up to the legacy; he carved out his own distinct greatness. In this article, let’s take a look at the top three performances in international cricket.
Top 3 performances of Shaun Pollock:
3. 4/19 vs. Australia (Commonwealth Games, Kuala Lumpur, 1998)
Shaun Pollock registered figures of 4/19 in the 1998 Commonwealth Games Cricket Final on September 19, 1998, at the Perbadanan Kemajuan Negari Selangor in Kuala Lumpur. This was the final of the men’s cricket event. The legendary fast bowler wreaked havoc with the new ball, bagging the wickets of Mark Waugh, Ricky Ponting, and Adam Gilchrist in his first spell. He came back later in the innings and dismissed Darren Lehmann. Australia were bowled out for 183 in 49.3 overs. South Africa chased the paltry target in 46 overs with four wickets to spare.
2. 5/20 vs. England (Triangular Series Final, Johannesburg, 2000)
On February 13, 2000, South Africa defeated England at the Wanderers Stadium in Johannesburg to win the triangular tournament that also involved Zimbabwe. The Proteas were bowled out for 149 in the first innings in just 45 overs. They needed a spirited bowling effort to stop a strong English batting line-up from chasing down the modest 150-run target. Shaun Pollock stepped up in the high-pressure game, dismissing the top five batters in England’s batting unit. Pollock finished with sensational figures of 5/20 in nine overs as the Three Lions were bowled out for 111. The Port Elizabeth-born won the Player of the Match award.
1. 7/87 vs. Australia (3rd Test, Adelaide, 1998)
South Africa faced Australia in the decisive third Test at the Adelaide Oval in 1998 with the host having a 1-0 lead. The tourists had to win the final game to level the series. They batted first and posted a massive 517-run total with Pollock contributing 40 runs. With the ball, he decimated the Aussies, finishing with remarkable figures of 7/87 in 41 overs. This was his best figures in international cricket. In the second innings, South Africa declared at 193/6, setting the Aussies a target of 361. Australia managed to reach 227/7 when there was no more time left in the match. Pollock took two more wickets in this innings. While South Africa failed to win the match, he received a lot of praise for his all-round efforts.
