Home comforts for Pollock

Shaun Pollock is one of the best cricketers in South Africa

Since he arrived on the international stage more than 11 years ago, Shaun Pollock has grown to become one of the finest cricketers the world has ever seen.

His ability and work rate are second to none, and in an era where South Africa has produced an abundance of all-rounders, Pollock tops the lot.

Individually he has achieved a lot, but if there is something missing from his crown, it is most certainly a World Cup title.

For this reason, the inaugural ICC World Twenty20 in South Africa could be one of his final chances to lift a major international trophy.

Now 34, the former captain has cricket in his blood.

He comes from a family who bred the sport, including two of the greatest ever players to emerge from the tip of Africa in dad Peter and uncle Graeme.

His grandfather Andrew also played domestic cricket, while there are many cousins and other relatives who achieved a lot in the game which, all in all, goes a long way to explaining why Pollock took to cricket as a duck would to water.

The bold red-head has a phenomenal record as well, backing up his stake for the title of greatest ever all-rounder.

Pollock has a phenomenal record in all forms of cricket

In 107 Test matches so far, he has taken 416 wickets - eighth on the all-time list - at an average of 23.19, while his batting average of 32.31 is by far one of the best for a lower-order batsman.

He was given his first taste of international cricket when he was brought into the side for a home series against Michael Atherton's England in 1995/96 and the Dolphins - then Kwa-Zulu Natal - hero did not disappoint.

In the five-match Test series, he topped the bowling averages with 23.56, claiming 16 wickets in the process to help the home side upset the tourists 1-0.

The one-day international competition saw Pollock net a series-high 13 wickets as the Proteas thumped England 6-1.

He has continued to excel even further since then in the ODI arena with a bowling average of 24.09 - 382 wickets - and a batting figure of 26.16 from 289 matches.

Pollock also has a staggering economy rate that sees him concede a miserly 3.70 runs per six deliveries - the best by any bowler currently playing the game.

His ability to move the ball both ways at a lively pace throughout his career have always kept him right in the mix to constantly stake his claim for man-of-the-match awards.

This makes it difficult to pinpoint a highlight of his near 12-year career so far, but being handed the captaincy from 2000 to 2003 is certain to always stand out.

Pollock was also named Wisden Cricketer of the Year in 2003 and in June this year, he showed how handy can be with the bat by hammering a maiden ODI hundred - he made 130 - for Africa against Asia at the Afro-Asia Cup.

Pollock has one of the highest batting averages of the lower order batsmen © Getty Images

Another all-rounder and true legend of the game Sir Garfield Sobers - considered by many as 'the greatest' alongside Donald Bradman - believes that Pollock and fellow South African Jacques Kallis are unmatched in today's times.

When asked who is the best, he said: “It's very difficult because I don't think there are a lot of them around, Shaun Pollock and Jacques Kallis.

“A lot of people probably don't rate Kallis in that respect, but I think that Pollock and Kallis are probably two of the best.

“If you go through the Test teams it's difficult to see past Pollock, whom I think is the best in the world today.”

The LG ICC one-day rankings say exactly that, as Pollock is both the number one all-rounder and bowler in the 50-over game at present.

So the next challenge for the Proteas ace is to adapt to the 20-over format of the game.

With the inaugural World Twenty20 scheduled for his home country in September, he has the perfect stage to make his mark.

In a game, where bowlers are at the mercy of run-hungry batsmen, he could make a name for himself with his immaculate line and low economy rate at the tournament.

Especially in the absence of Kallis - who has been dropped - Pollock will be expected to shoulder more of the burden and there is also likely to be a batting promotion into the top six.

And, where most bowlers have failed, not many will bet against the veteran all-rounder emerging on September 24 as one of the stars of the ICC World Twenty20.