Shaun Pollock is a renowned South African cricket commentator and a former cricketer, widely considered one of the best all-rounders in cricket history.
A right-arm fast-medium bowler and a useful lower-order batsman, Pollock represented South Africa at the highest level from 1995 to 2008 and also served as captain of the national team.
Here we have Shaun Pollock’s net worth, salary, earnings, achievements, stats, wife, and more.
Shaun Pollock’s Biography
| Full Name | Shaun Maclean Pollock |
|---|---|
| Born | July 16, 1973 (age 51) |
| Birthplace | Port Elizabeth, South Africa |
| Height | 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) |
| Batting Style | Right-handed |
| Bowling Style | Right-arm fast-medium |
| Role | All-rounder |
| International Debut | 1995 |
| Retirement | 2008 |
Shaun Maclean Pollock was born on July 16, 1973, in Port Elizabeth, South Africa, into a well-known cricketing family. His father, Peter Pollock, and uncle, Graeme Pollock, were both famous South African cricketers.
Pollock was known for his exceptional bowling skills, and during his international career, he consistently ranked among the top bowlers in the world.
Career
International Career
Shaun Pollock made his debut for South Africa in both Tests and One Day Internationals (ODIs) in 1995. He quickly established himself as one of the world’s leading bowlers, known for his accurate line and length, ability to swing the ball, and effective use of seam movement.
Over his illustrious career, Pollock became the first South African to take 400 Test wickets and finished his career with 421 wickets in Test matches and 393 wickets in ODIs.
As an all-rounder, Pollock contributed with the bat as well, scoring two centuries in Test cricket. His role in leading South Africa’s bowling attack made him a critical figure in the team, especially during South Africa’s successful campaigns in the late 1990s and early 2000s.
Captaincy
In 2000, Pollock was appointed captain of South Africa following the resignation of Hansie Cronje.
He led the team through a period of recovery after the match-fixing scandal and proved to be a steady leader, though his captaincy ended after the 2003 Cricket World Cup, where South Africa failed to make it past the group stage.
Career Highlights and Records
- 421 Test wickets in 108 matches
- 393 ODI wickets in 303 matches
- Two Test centuries and 16 fifties
- Named Wisden Cricketer of the Year in 2003
- First South African to take 400 Test wickets
- Holds the record for the most number of balls bowled in South African Test cricket history
Pollock retired from international cricket in 2008 but left behind an enduring legacy as one of the best all-rounders of his era.
Career as a Commentator
After retiring from professional cricket, Shaun Pollock transitioned into a successful career as a cricket commentator and pundit. He became a regular voice in the commentary box for major international cricket events, including ICC tournaments and South Africa’s bilateral series.
Pollock’s deep understanding of the game, along with his calm and analytical approach, has made him a respected figure in the commentary world.
Achievements
- Ranked as one of the top bowlers in the world during his career.
- First South African bowler to take 400 Test wickets.
- Named Wisden Cricketer of the Year in 2003.
- Captain of the South African cricket team from 2000-2003.
- Consistent performer across both Tests and ODIs as a bowler and lower-order batsman.
Shaun Pollock’s Wife and Family
Shaun Pollock is married to Trish Pollock. The couple tied the knot in 2000 and have two daughters together.
Shaun Pollock’s Net Worth Details
Shaun Pollock’s net worth is estimated to be $12 million as of 2025, a reflection of his successful cricket career and his subsequent career as a commentator.
During his playing days, Pollock earned substantial sums from match fees, central contracts, and endorsements.
Salary
As a cricketer, Pollock was among the highest-paid players in South African cricket, earning both from international match fees and domestic leagues.
After his playing days, Pollock continued to earn a comfortable income as a commentator, a profession that also pays well in the world of cricket broadcasting.
Net Worth Growth
| Year | Net Worth Growth |
|---|---|
| 2021 | $10 million |
| 2022 | $11 million |
| 2023 | $11.5 million |
| 2024 | $12 million |
Endorsements
During his cricketing career, Shaun Pollock endorsed several brands, including notable sports equipment companies like Gunn & Moore and other South African brands.
Stats
Career Batting Stats (Right-Handed Batsman)
| Format | Years | M | Inn | NO | Runs | HS | Avg | BF | SR | 100s | 50s | 4s | 6s |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Test | 1995–08 | 108 | 156 | 39 | 3781 | 111 | 32.3 | 7198 | 52.5 | 2 | 16 | 412 | 35 |
| ODI | 1996–08 | 303 | 205 | 72 | 3519 | 130 | 26.4 | 4059 | 86.7 | 1 | 14 | 248 | 58 |
| T20I | 2005–08 | 12 | 9 | 2 | 86 | 36* | 12.3 | 70 | 122.8 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 4 |
| IPL | 2008 | 13 | 8 | 0 | 147 | 33 | 18.4 | 111 | 132.4 | 0 | 0 | 12 | 8 |
| 1st Class | 1992–08 | 186 | 267 | 55 | 7021 | 150* | 33.1 | 12165 | – | 6 | 35 | 796 | 63 |
| List A | 1993–08 | 435 | 297 | 91 | 5494 | 134* | 26.7 | 5839 | – | 3 | 24 | 371 | 87 |
| T20 | 2004–08 | 46 | 34 | 7 | 569 | 59 | 21.1 | 401 | 141.9 | 0 | 1 | 45 | 28 |
Career Bowling Stats (Right-Arm Fast Medium Bowler)
| Format | Years | M | Inn | B | Mdn | Runs | W | BB | Econ | Avg | SR | 4W | 5W |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Test | 1995–08 | 108 | 202 | 24353 | 1222 | 9733 | 421 | 7/87 | 2.39 | 23.1 | 57.8 | 23 | 16 |
| ODI | 1996–08 | 303 | 297 | 15712 | 313 | 9631 | 393 | 6/35 | 3.67 | 24.5 | 40.0 | 12 | 5 |
| T20I | 2005–08 | 12 | 11 | 243 | 1 | 309 | 15 | 3/28 | 7.62 | 20.6 | 16.2 | 0 | 0 |
| IPL | 2008 | 13 | 13 | 276 | 1 | 301 | 11 | 3/12 | 6.54 | 27.4 | 25.1 | 0 | 0 |
| 1st Class | 1992–08 | 186 | 346 | 39067 | 1976 | 15508 | 667 | 7/33 | 2.38 | 23.2 | 58.6 | 35 | 22 |
| List A | 1993–08 | 435 | 422 | 21588 | 419 | 13141 | 573 | 6/21 | 3.65 | 22.9 | 37.7 | 18 | 7 |
| T20 | 2004–08 | 46 | 43 | 937 | 4 | 996 | 45 | 3/12 | 6.38 | 22.1 | 20.8 | 0 | 0 |
FAQs
1. Who is Shaun Pollock?
Shaun Pollock is a former South African cricketer and captain, widely regarded as one of the greatest all-rounders in cricket history. He was known for his exceptional bowling accuracy and useful batting skills.
2. What are Shaun Pollock’s major cricketing achievements?
Pollock took 421 Test wickets, 393 ODI wickets, and scored over 7,000 international runs. He was South Africa’s leading wicket-taker in international cricket and won the ICC KnockOut Trophy in 1998, South Africa’s only ICC title.
3. When did Shaun Pollock make his international debut?
Pollock debuted in Test cricket on November 16, 1995, against England and in ODIs on January 9, 1996, also against England.
4. What records does Shaun Pollock hold?
Pollock holds several records, including the most maiden overs in ODI history (313) and being the first Test captain to remain unbeaten on 99 in an innings. He also has the most Test centuries while batting at No. 9 or below (2).
5. How long did Shaun Pollock captain South Africa?
Pollock captained South Africa from 2000 to 2003 across all formats. Under his leadership, the team achieved significant success but also faced setbacks like the early exit from the 2003 World Cup.
6. What is Shaun Pollock’s connection to cricketing legends?
Pollock comes from a renowned cricketing family. His father, Peter Pollock, was a legendary fast bowler, and his uncle, Graeme Pollock, is considered one of the greatest batsmen in cricket history.
7. When did Shaun Pollock retire from international cricket?
Pollock retired in February 2008 after a 13-year career. He announced his retirement during a series against the West Indies.
8. What awards and honors has Shaun Pollock received?
Pollock was named Wisden Cricketer of the Year in 2003 and was inducted into the ICC Cricket Hall of Fame in November 2021.
9. What role does Shaun Pollock play post-retirement?
After retiring, Pollock became a cricket commentator and analyst for SuperSport. He remains actively involved in promoting cricket globally.
10. How is Shaun Pollock remembered as a cricketer?
Pollock is celebrated for his consistency, discipline, and sportsmanship. His ability to swing the ball both ways and contribute with the bat made him an invaluable asset to South African cricket during his career.
