Shaun Pollock Names Best Batsman Of His Generation

South Africa pace legend Shaun Pollock had duels with some of the finest batsmen on the international circuit and still succeeded as one of the finest. He scalped 393 ODI wickets and 421 in Tests; and was one of the finest new-ball bowlers. Pollock along with Makhaya Ntini would wreck havoc on the oppositions and emerged as fine fast bowling pair for the Proteas.

Shaun Pollock bowled against the likes of Inzamam-ul-Haq, Rahul Dravid, Matthew Hayden, Sachin Tendulkar, Adam Gilchrist, VVS Laxman, Ricky Ponting to name a few. In a Sky Sports podcast he revealed the best batsman of his generation.

He understood the game and would adjust to it: Shaun Pollock

Sachin Tendulkar was a batsman who stood out for Pollock during his time. He was amused by the way he understood the game and would adjust to it. Tendulkar recorded most runs in Tests and ODIs laced with a century of centuries. He was a nightmare for bowlers.

Pollock had dismissed Tendulkar nine times in ODIs and recalled the conversation he had with the batting legend before India’s tour Down Under. The 46-year-old said as Tendulkar, who is short in height, would want to romp the short-pitched delivery over wicket-keeper and slip rather ducking to it.

“It was how well he understood his game and how he would adjust. He talked to me once about going to Australia and understanding he couldn’t take on the short-pitched deliveries anymore so he would ramp the ball over the wicket-keeper and slip,” Pollock told Sky Sports.

“There were times, especially in the subcontinent, where you thought, ‘I’m not sure we can knock this guy over. We were hoping he would make a mistake, rather than had a genuine plan,” he added.

Pollock maintained a decent economy rate of 2.86 in the longest format of the game and 3.76 in the ODIs. He made his last ODI appearance against the West Indies in February, 2008.