Pollock joins elite club
Trevor Chesterfield
29 November 1998
JOHANNESBURG - South Africa's vice-captain Shaun Pollock proved his
credentials as one of the best all-rounders in the world when
yesterday he joined three elite test clubs and bowled South Africa
into a strong position to win the first test against the West Indies
at the Wanderers today. The club is an impressive list as well, for
when he trapped Courtney Walsh lbw for a duck with the third ball of
his 21st over, he became the second South African to perform the
1000-runs and 100-wickets double; joined his father, Peter, as part of
the second father-son combination at test level to take 100 test
wickets.
This particular fact has pleased the father, now convener of the
national selection panel, and the as well as his red-haired son. They
now join New Zealanders Lance and Chris Cairns in a rare achievement.
``Dad's quite pleased. He's like that when you do well,'' Pollock said.
He did, however, feel the first two wickets in his first spell were an
important step in helping him take the four wockets needed to get to
the 100 in this match.
``It's always nice to get two quick ones up front, but it doesn't
really matter how long it has taken me to get to this stage,'' he
added. ``Records don't bother me too much, but yes ... it's a great
feeling to have reached this stage.''
As for the third record, the 25-year-old red-headed new-ball bowler is
now the sixth South African to bag 100 test wickets, taking 26 matches
to reach the target, the same as his father; he joins Allan Donald as
the second to reach the target since readmission.
As the tourists were blown apart, losing three wickets in four balls
to be dismissed for 170, Pollock, watched by his father Peter and West
Indian Malcolm Marshall, now the Windies coach who had a hand in his
career when he played for Natal in the early 1990s, Pollock (jnr) also
earned a test career best nine for 103.
Pollock now joins Trevor Goddard, whose career of 41 tests ended at
the same venue against Australia in 1970 as the second South African
to reach the double. Goddard managed 2 516 runs and 123 wickets.
But he also helped his father to achieve a remarkable father-son
record. The only other family duo to take 100 tests wickets or mare
are New Zealanders Lance and Chris Cairns. The fastest player to
reach the double is Ian Botham in 21 tests, followed by Indian
all-rounders Vinoo Mankad 23 and Kapil Dev 25.
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