A ROLLERCOASTER’S LAST RIDE

Batsmen all over the world can afford to heave a sigh of relief. Their nemesis, Shaun Pollock has finally blown the whistle to bring an illustrious career to a grinding halt. Polly played his last match at home on Saturday and would follow it up with his last appearance in international Cricket on Sunday.

The all rounder has lead South Africa’s pace battalion for long and should get a fitting farewell at Sunday’s final. Such was his ominous presence on the field that a bowler of the stature of Makhaya Ntini was overshadowed. Thrust into captaincy, when SA was struggling to recover from the Hansie Cronje issue, Pollock lead the team with courage and skill. And on the eve of his retirement even critics had some words of praise for the 34 year old.

One of Polly’s best performances came against Australia in the 1999 WC semifinal (though better known for Zulu’s whirlwind knock and Donald’s run out in the final over) when he took 5 scalps including those of the then greats Steven Waugh and Bevan. With more than 400 test wickets in his kitty, he was more than a lethal force to contend with. He was one among only 4 players to have scored over 3000 runs and scalped over 400 test wickets. No wonder that Barry Richards commented that a SA squad without Shaun is like tea without milk.

Critics might say that his career had a few lows. But he is still a feared bowler worldwide. The only snag in his glorious career would be that he was unable to feature in a world cup winning squad, a quest yet unachieved by SA.



So pay your tributes to a man who gave his all for cricket.