Graeme Pollock

Graeme Pollock is a South African cricketer renowned for his left-handed batting. He played 23 Test matches from 1963 to 1970 and is widely regarded as one of Test cricket’s greatest batters.

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Graeme Pollock's Test career: Pollock’s international career comprised 23 Test matches for South Africa between 1963 and 1970. This short career is the setting for his achievements and unusually high batting average.
Barry Richards: Barry Richards was a South African opening batter whose Test career ended after four matches because of South Africa’s sporting isolation. Richards shared Pollock’s curtailed international opportunities and exceptional batting reputation.
South Africa's international cricket isolation: South Africa’s international cricket isolation was the exclusion of its teams from major competition in response to apartheid. The isolation ended Pollock’s Test career when South Africa was barred from international cricket.
Peter Pollock: Peter Pollock was a South African fast bowler who played 28 Test matches from 1961 to 1972. Graeme’s older brother was his teammate in South Africa’s 1960s Test side.
Graeme Pollock's 274 at Durban: Pollock scored 274 against Australia at Durban in 1966, then the highest Test score by a South African. The innings is his highest Test score and a defining example of his batting.
Don Bradman: Don Bradman was an Australian batter who retired with a Test batting average of 99.94. Bradman’s record average is the benchmark against which Pollock’s Test average is often compared.
1970 South African cricket tour of England: The planned 1970 South African cricket tour of England was cancelled amid opposition to apartheid and the selection of Basil D’Oliveira. Its cancellation marked the beginning of the isolation that prevented Pollock from playing further Tests.
Andrew Pollock: Andrew Pollock was a South African first-class cricketer and the father of Graeme and Peter Pollock. Their father introduced the brothers to cricket and shaped a prominent cricketing family.
South Africa national cricket team: South Africa’s national men’s cricket team represents the country in international cricket. Pollock’s Test records were made for South Africa during its pre-isolation era.
Viv Richards: Viv Richards was a West Indian batter known for aggressive stroke play and dominance in Test and one-day cricket. Richards represents a later era of batting whose greater international reach contrasts with Pollock’s curtailed career.