Shaun Pollock’s sensational innings of 92 runs against Sri Lanka in the 1st Test at Cape Town (March 19–23, 1998). Known primarily as South Africa’s premier fast bowler, Pollock stunned the world with the bat in hand—crafting a memorable innings full of elegance, determination, and brilliance.
Pollock scored a gritty 92 off 138 balls, spending 198 minutes at the crease, laced with 8 glorious boundaries and a booming six. He went head-to-head with the legendary Muttiah Muralitharan, the crafty Chaminda Vaas, and the disciplined Pushpakumara, playing a range of sublime strokes that left the Cape Town crowd in awe.
His cover drives, pulls, cuts, and especially the straight drive off Muralitharan were simply majestic—a clear sign that this young cricketer was destined to be one of the greatest all-rounders the world would see.
Sadly, Pollock fell just 8 runs short of his maiden Test century, trapped LBW by Pramodya Wickramasinghe, but the impact of his innings echoed far beyond the scoreboard.
This video captures that unforgettable knock—an innings that reshaped Shaun Pollock's legacy and showcased the full extent of his cricketing genius.
👉 Watch till the end and drop your thoughts in the comments. Should Pollock have batted higher up the order more often? The Knock That Proved Pollock Was More Than a Bowler | 92 vs Sri Lanka! Shaun Pollock 92 off 138 Balls 198 Mins 8 Fours 1 Sixs vs Sri Lanka 1st Test, Cape Town, March 19 - 23, 1998. Cricket Fans SHOCKED by Pollock’s Batting Masterclass in 1998 Test!
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
