Shaun Pollock Recalls The Rise Of AB De Villiers As A South African Cricket Legend. South African cricket has seen its share of legends, but very few have left as indelible a mark as AB de Villiers. Widely regarded as one of the most innovative and destructive batters in modern cricket, his journey from a promising young cricketer to a global cricket icon is nothing short of extraordinary. Former Proteas all-rounder Shaun Pollock, who played alongside de Villiers and witnessed his rise, recently reflected on de Villiers’ early days and how his extraordinary talent was evident from the start.
Early “Murmurings” in South African Cricket
Even before AB de Villiers made his way into the national team, there were already whispers about his potential within the South African cricket circuit. According to Pollock, those who saw him play knew that de Villiers was destined for something special. In an ICC video, Pollock shared his first experience encountering de Villiers in a practice match, where he was opening the batting for the Northerns. Despite de Villiers being relatively unknown at the time, Pollock noticed something unique about him.
“He was opening the batting for Northerns,” Pollock recalled. “As a player who has played for many years, you are always looking for cues as to who is going to be successful and why. In South Africa, it’s often about the ability to deal with pace and bounce, and just bowling to him on that day made me realize that this was going to be something special.”
Pollock’s insights are significant because they reflect the early recognition of de Villiers’ ability to handle the pace and bounce that South African conditions present. This is often the benchmark for cricketers who are likely to succeed at the highest level in South Africa, and de Villiers passed that test with flying colors.
A Stellar Career Across Formats
AB de Villiers went on to have a remarkable career, cementing his place in cricket history with his versatility across all three formats of the game. His statistics speak for themselves:
- 114 Test matches: 8,756 runs at an average of 50.66, including 22 centuries.
- 228 ODIs: 9,577 runs at an average of 53.50, including 25 centuries.
- T20 Internationals: 1,672 runs at an average of 26.12 from 78 games.
De Villiers’ ability to dominate in all formats of the game is rare in the modern era. His ability to score runs around the ground with an almost endless variety of shots made him one of the most feared batters in world cricket. His innovation at the crease earned him the nickname “Mr. 360,” a testament to his skill in playing shots in all directions, making life difficult for bowlers.
Pollock Admiration for de Villiers’ Technique
What set AB de Villiers apart, according to Pollock, was his flawless technique and his balance at the crease. Pollock described de Villiers as having a “compact” technique, which allowed him to be prepared for anything the bowlers threw at him.
“He was so nicely balanced, his head was in a wonderful position, and he took the bat back so nicely and straight. Even at the point of delivery, he had a little rock, which gave him extra time to deal with anything thrown his way,” Pollock explained. This “rock” Pollock refers to is a subtle movement that many great batters use to give themselves that extra fraction of a second to adjust to the pace and movement of the ball. It’s a small detail, but one that can make a world of difference in professional cricket.
The Iconic Pink Day Century
One of de Villiers’ most memorable innings was his explosive century on Pink Day against the West Indies in 2015. This match showcased the full extent of de Villiers’ ability to dominate an attack. In just 31 balls, de Villiers smashed his way to the fastest ODI century in history, a record that still stands. He finished the match with 149 runs off 44 balls, an innings that included nine fours and an incredible 16 sixes.
Pollock highlighted this innings as the moment de Villiers displayed his full “repertoire” of shots. “During the Pink Day 100, he kind of said to the coach, ‘I don’t think I should go next,’ and they pushed him out the door, and he went on to break a world record. He kind of put everything out there and displayed the full repertoire of what he was capable of,” Pollock said.
This innings not only broke records but also left the West Indian bowlers in disarray as they struggled to contain the onslaught from “Mr. 360”. South Africa posted a mammoth 439/2, and the West Indies could only muster 291/7 in response.
Success in T20 and IPL
Apart from his exploits for South Africa, AB de Villiers also had a highly successful stint in the Indian Premier League (IPL), where his performances earned him a massive fan following in India. His aggressive and innovative batting, particularly for the Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB), made him a household name in the cricket-crazy nation. With 5,162 runs in 184 matches at an average of 39.70, de Villiers remains the seventh-highest run-scorer in the history of the IPL, with three centuries and 40 fifties to his name.
His best score of 133 not out* came in a memorable match against the Mumbai Indians in 2015, where he showcased his full array of shots, leaving the bowlers with no answers. His ability to win matches single-handedly made him one of the most valuable players in the tournament’s history, and his partnership with Virat Kohli at RCB is considered one of the most lethal in T20 cricket.
Induction into the ICC Hall of Fame
In recognition of his stellar international career, AB de Villiers was inducted into the ICC Hall of Fame last week, alongside Alastair Cook of England and Neetu David, a legend in Indian women’s cricket. This honor cements de Villiers’ place among the all-time greats of the game. He is remembered not only for his run-scoring feats but also for his incredible fielding ability, which made him a complete cricketer.
Pollock, who shared the dressing room with de Villiers, praised his contribution to South African cricket and the world game. “He was something special. From the very first time I bowled to him, I could see that he had something extra,” Pollock said.
Conclusion
AB de Villiers will forever be remembered as one of the most innovative and destructive batters in the history of cricket. His ability to succeed across all formats, his dominance in the IPL, and his countless match-winning performances for South Africa have secured his legacy as one of the greatest cricketers of all time.
