The fulfillment

Cloning is one of the wonders of the modern world. As a coach, I have sometimes fantasised about cloning a former great, or better still, combining the talents of two players. But when you see Shaun Pollock, fantasies cease. He's real. He was born to be an allrounder: combine the bowling skills of father Peter and the batting genius of uncle Graeme and it's some talent you've got.

Three years ago, I remarked at a press conference in England that Shaun could easily become the next Garry Sobers, and he was very cross with me. But I was sure of his ability: he was already a very good bowler and I was convinced he would soon also be good enough to score many hundreds. But this became a cross for Shaun to bear and he became the butt of many a joke, as first his good friend, Lance Klusener, and then Pat Symcox of all people, scored centuries before him. Shaun bore all the rib-tickling with good humour and fortitude. I knew his day would come because in my book, he was technically far superior to Klusener and Symcox.

I have watched Shaun's evolution with great joy and fascination. He made an immediate impact on his debut against England as an aggressive, accurate fast bowler who could do both, swing the ball in and also hit people on the head with a nasty straight bouncer. As coach it was easy to see that he also had enormous potential with the bat.

His first major challenge was to develop his outswinger and he achieved this very quickly in his first year with Warwickshire. The year after that he had plenty of opportunities to develop his batting skills and soon went on to score his maiden first-class hundred against a Northants bowling attack which included Curtly Ambrose. The cameo Test innings and great one-day flourishes that followed confirmed his ability with the bat, but bowling was considered his major asset and he was never pushed up the batting order. In fact, he batted higher up for South Africa than when he played for Natal, his home province.

He also allowed his impetuosity to get the better of him and I have seen him throw it all away just when he looked set for a big score. It wasn't as much a question of ability as it was of the mind.

Captaincy, I believe was the turning point. With responsibility thrust on his shoulders he had to knuckle down to the task of scoring runs. He has always been a better batsman when in the aggressive mode, but often his shot-selection has been a bit premeditated. Slight technical frailties like leaning back while driving and playing too square off the back foot used to get him out. He has worked on these deficiencies and looks a more balanced batsman now.

He broke his century drought with a magnificent 111 against Sri Lanka that helped South?Africa recover from 204 for 7 to 378. Two Tests later, he knocked the West Indian bowlers around at Bridgetown for an unbeaten 106, adding over 100 runs for the ninth wicket with Allan Donald. Both were matchwinning knocks played from No. 9. Had the third Test against India not been unofficial, Shaun would have added another Test hundred. But even without the Centurion knock, his record in 2001 has been awesome. In 11 Tests, he has averaged 64 with bat and 19.68 with the ball. Even Garry Sobers would have been proud.