00:00In the golden archives of cricketing history, certain innings remains hatched in memory
00:05not just for the runs scored but for the manner in which they were compiled.
00:10One such display came during the first test between South Africa and Sri Lanka at the
00:15picture Q Newlands Cap Town, held from March 19 to 23, 1998.
00:20On this occasion, a young Sean Pollock, better known than for his burgeoning reputation with
00:25the ball, unfolded a gem of an innings, announcing to the cricketing world that he was no mere
00:31baller who could bat.
00:32Batting with poise and purpose, Sean Pollock amassed a splendid 92 runs of 138 deliveries,
00:39occupying the crease for 198 minutes.
00:42His inning laced with eight elegant boundaries and a towering sick.
00:46It was a masterclass in controlled aggression and textbook technique.
00:50It was a knock that oozed maturity well beyond his years.
00:54Yet these numbers alone cannot define the quality of this inning.
00:58Sean Pollock, 92, was a turning point in his career.
01:01A prelude to his future as one of the premier's all-rounders of world cricket.
01:06It was a declaration of potential delivered with bat in hand on the grand stage of test cricket.
01:11Sean Pollock.
01:12Well, he's been in very good form.
01:15He's boosted his average now to over 32.
01:19Already 750 test runs.
01:22Max guy.
01:23Ouch.
01:24Yep.
01:25Yep.
01:26Sean Pollock down for the count.
01:31It was a quicker delivery, nip back, chucking him a painful blow.
01:39Here comes the physio.
01:40Quite well right now.
01:41Waterless.
01:42A lot of bounce, a little bit more bounce that particular delivery.
01:56Surprising pace generated.
02:05Oh, that's beautifully played.
02:07Pulled through mid-wicket for four.
02:12That's his favorite shot.
02:14And anything marginally short and in the area, he doesn't hesitate.
02:18Notice how when he pulls, he doesn't go that far back.
02:21It doesn't go back at all, really.
02:23He just goes onto the front foot and then rocks his weight back, but he certainly doesn't
02:26make many mistakes.
02:28I want someone to be underestimated.
02:3250 partnership between Pollock and Barcher and that has more value to it than might meet
02:51the eye.
02:52In the air and a hand to it, but down.
02:57Mahanama, the fielder, so he's now 50% in this match so far.
03:05Caught two, dropped two.
03:07A bit of extra bounce.
03:13A bit of extra bounce.
03:14Harmanama moved successfully to his right.
03:19Couldn't get enough of that right hand on the ball.
03:23Very difficult chance.
03:26That's a good shot.
03:27It's nothing like a good straight drive.
03:36Play to perfection for the Pollock.
03:39It's a beautiful on-drive.
03:40That's good cricket.
03:41It's floated it up.
03:44Pollock took the bait and struck it for six.
03:45Straight.
03:46No fielders down there.
03:47Sean Pollock picking the extra flight comfortably.
04:00exploiting the gap straight behind the bowler.
04:01Not much risk there.
04:03Very well struck.
04:04Maximum.
04:05This time he does bring off the pool.
04:06Looks one of his favorite shots.
04:21He plays it well.
04:27Might just get to the boundary.
04:28And then the bowl does set it open with a sounding app.
04:35get to the boundary and that's a long back
04:47which back tomorrow once again pulls in
04:53and it's once again not going to make it this time now run three they're going
05:00to look for four vouchers quick enough to get back to the danger and he does
05:04so and it's a four anyway run by the two batsmen and it brings up Pollock's 50
05:22are we
05:24that's the most magnificent shot by Pollock through the
05:32covers before well with Donald Adams and Antini no great shakes with the bat to
05:39come I think we're gonna see this man really start putting bat to ball that's
05:44a glorious short and go through the line and heat it straight drive good shot
05:55four runs beautiful
05:59good shot this straight
06:05elbow up high looks good and it is certainly good
06:10good shot
06:14beautiful timing from Pollock
06:23it's hard for lunch now Pollock is getting some food
06:27in the test against England when he made that top score of his of 29
06:33so just a little bit undecided wicked well time well-placed and worth four runs
06:48and that takes him now to 85 and his highest score in test match cricket
06:55improving on the 82 he made against Pakistan at Sheikapura
07:02he is out for 92 eight runs short of his maiden test century and well that's a bitter blow because
07:11he really deserved it he batted quite superbly
07:16Sean Pollock rightly very disappointed
07:22trying to look for a single the ball angling back in
07:25gets in a fair stride
07:31it was a fine innings
07:36there's the full look at the South African scorecard then 298 for six overnight
07:41thanks to Pollock Boucher to degree Adams at the end there a really good finish
07:46to the innings but the good thing about this whole scorecard is that middle order
07:51and Darrell Cullinan's brilliant 113 yesterday which set up this for 18 top
07:58class performance by South Africa
08:02the partnerships three in the 90s 95 and 96 for the wickets three and four and
08:08they're 95 for the seventh 35 important runs between Pollock and Donald for the eighth
08:13wicket as well
08:15Facing the formidable silenkin attack comprising the willimuthaya murali dharan
08:21the crafty chminda was and steady pushpa kamara
08:24Sean Pollock stood tall he played each baller on merit refusing to be over art by reputation
08:31his short selection was impeccable whether it was the crisp cut the authoritative pull
08:36the fluid cover drive or the resplendent straight drive Sean Pollock showcased the full repertoire of a polished past man
08:43one particular moment stood out like a fine brushstroke on a cricketing canvas a straight drive of murali dharan that
08:51raced down the ground like a bullet it was not merely a shot it was an announcement the Cape Town crowd rose as one
08:58applauding the young all-rounder grace and command at the crease
09:02Alice destiny denied him a well-deserved median test century on 92 with the milestone tantalizing clothes
09:09Sean Pollock was trapped leg before by Vikramah Singh a dismissal that brought collective sigh from the spectators who had thoroughly enjoyed the exhibition
09:18Sean Pollock innings at Newland was not just about runs it was a statement of character and class having already earned accords as a new ball baller
09:27his performance with the batter will the depth of his cricketing abilities this not paved the way for Pollock to be recognized not merely as a fast
09:36baller but as a genuine all-rounder one capable of rescuing and building innings under pressure in the years to follow Sean Pollock would
09:45go on to registered over 3,700 runs in test cricket and claim 421 wickets an illustrious carrier that began with flashes of brilliance like this very innings
09:57so sit back and relive this fine chapter from cricketing grand old book watch as Sean Pollock young determined and immensely
10:04talented treat us to near a century filled with poison power what did you make of this glorious inning share
10:11your thoughts in the comments below if you like this video please comment share and subscribe thank you very much
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