Good Bye Polly

The world of cricket saluted a new fast bowler in Dale Steyn as Pollock bade farewell to the international arena , where he dazzled for long .
The leading all-rounder just probed away on and around off stump, relentlessly all these dozen of seasons with unerring accuracy. Gifted with the genes from one of the finest left-handed batsman Graeme(Uncle) and spearhead of the 60s bowling attack Peter(father), Shaun had carried both abilities. Regarded as the bowler who would come extremely close to the stumps and high arm action, he had mastered the ability to bring back and leave batsman and that unyielding line made life difficult for batsman across the world .The world first saw the glimpse of the orange haired Pollock in the summer of 95. .
The summer of 96, South Africa, discovered a potent new-ball partnership with Allan Donald and this pairing was the catalyst of much of South Africa's success during the latter half of the 1990s. The emergence of Pollock inspired Donald to greater heights as the latter found himself with a partner who both complemented and challenged him. Arguably, the straightest bowler in world cricket, Pollock is able to move the ball both ways at a lively pace pinned down a number of batsmen year after year. At the start of his first-class career, though, he was both slippery and aggressive. As time progressed, maturity and ability to produce performance under pressure came to the fore. The finest hour came in Adelaide against Australia in 1998 when he probed on hour after hour in scorching heat to take 7 for 87 in 41 overs on a perfect batting strip. This was an exhibition of stamina and courage which he never lacked.
Pollock's career has been one of great distinction. In 108 Tests he took 421 wickets -- the most by any South African -- at an outstanding average of 23.11. It was only in the past two years that the average went up from about 21. He made 3781 runs at an average of 32,31 to enter into the cricketing annals as one of the world's best all-rounders.
He captained the country in 26 Tests, forced into the job after Hansie Cronje's fall from grace in 2000. The biggest challenge of his career - to lift a shocked and crestfallen South African side. He had a solid start to his captaincy, where he led SA to victory over Australia. Then he lost some credibility after a 3-0 drubbing in Australia in 2001-02. And, soon became predictable with his captaincy .He was criticized for lack of out of the box thinking. Eventually, he was sacked as captain after the 2003 World Cup, taking the blame for the debacle against Sri Lanka when SA read the Duckworth Lewis sheet incorrectly.

Critiques might argue that he has underperformed with the bat, but most test teams would be delighted to have him in their side even if he never scored a run. But on numerous occasions , he saved the day for South Africa with his batting.
Plagued by lack of pace over the past two years, he took it all with a grace and dignity singularly lacking in players today. Inherited from the great Pollock family, he embraced all the old values of fair play and grace under fire. Needless to say that he was great role model for younger players , with his clean image , and flawless behaviors on and off the field.
Pollock missed the first Test against Australia at home in early 2006 with a back injury and was relegated from opener to first-change by the third. Amidst all this, slowly he became the first South African to take 400 Test wickets. Pollock continued his fine form against the touring Pakistanis next, despite being surprisingly rested for the final Test . Though his nagging brilliance around off stump remained his pace and ability to take wickets at the top of the order has dipped. He made a strong statement by winning the man of the series award twice in a row. Frugal with the ball and useful with bat he offered prized balance and breathing space for his captain.
Pollock wanted to go on his own terms; courtesy the South African selectors were reluctant to clearly decide about his future role. But, he chose the right time before he had to experience the ignominy of being axed.
The future looks bright; as the likes of Morne Morkel and Steyn, who has been earmarked as the successor to Pollock, have shown promise to carry South African Cricket into a new era. However, they have huge shoes to fill in the likes of Pollock and his predecessor, Allan Donald.