On this day in 1996, Shaun Pollock had a debut to remember. He’s our Legend of the Week.
South Africa went into their seven-match ODI series against England boasting no less than three debutants, and in the first match at Newlands, one of them went on to earn the Man of the Match award, for what was the start of a glittering career.
The hosts emerged victors by just six runs, and it wouldn’t have been achieved without the efforts of 22-year old Shaun Pollock, who smashed 66 off 66 balls coming in at No 8 to help his side to 211-8, before taking 4-34 to leave the English just short in a game they should have won comfortably.
The other two debutants in that match were Paul Adams and Jacques Kallis, who went on to play 328 ODIs for his country. Pollock’s performance set the tone for a 6-1 series hammering against the hapless visitors.
Photo: Thomas Turck/Gallo Images
