Peter Maclean Pollock was born on June 30, 1941, in Pietermaritzburg, Natal, South Africa. He came from a family with Scottish heritage; his father, Andrew Pollock, was born in Edinburgh before relocating to South Africa. Peter was part of a prominent sporting family—his brother, Graeme Pollock, was also a regular player for the South African cricket team during the same era.
Both Peter and Graeme attended Grey High School in Port Elizabeth, a school renowned for its sporting excellence. At school, Peter excelled in both batting and bowling. However, visiting coach George Cox of Sussex advised him to focus on bowling, predicting he would not attain greatness as a batsman—a suggestion that greatly disappointed Peter at the time.
Peter Pollock made his Test debut in 1961 in Durban against New Zealand, where he claimed six wickets in the second innings. Throughout the 1960s, he established himself as South Africa's leading fast bowler, showcasing consistency and skill across all formats. He was a mainstay in the national team, playing every Test match for South Africa from 1962 until the country’s sporting isolation in 1970.
One of the highlights of his career occurred in 1965 during a Test match at Trent Bridge, Nottingham. In that game, Peter took a total of 10 wickets with figures of 5 for 53 and 5 for 34, leading South Africa to victory. His brother Graeme contributed significantly with the bat, scoring 125 and 59. The win secured the Test as well as the three-match series against England.
In recognition of his exceptional performances, Peter Pollock was named a Wisden Cricketer of the Year in 1966. Known primarily as a right-arm fast bowler, he was also a capable right-handed batsman in the lower order. His playing style was marked by aggression, control, and a focus on disciplined fast bowling.
Both Peter and Graeme Pollock became notable figures in cricket's resistance to apartheid and political interference in sport. Their activism culminated in their involvement in the symbolic walk-off at Newlands in 1971, an event that underscored their protest against racial segregation in cricket.
| Birth Date: | 30 Jun, 1941 |
| Age: | 78 yrs |
| Occupations: | Cricketer |
| Citizenship: | South Africa |
| Birth Place: | Pietermaritzburg |
| Education: | Grey High School |
| Gender: | Male |
| Description: | South African cricketer |
