Graeme Pollock

Durban: Graeme Pollock, whose international career suffered because of South Africa’s isolation, has picked Sir Donald Bradman ahead of the rest, including Sachin Tendulkar.

“Look, with a first-class average bordering on 100, you’ve got to keep Bradman in a different category... The rest can’t be clubbed with him... I’d say Sachin’s the best after Bradman. It’s incredible that he has 50 Test hundreds,” Pollock, now 66, told The Telegraph.

Speaking on Tuesday afternoon, the younger brother of Peter and Shaun’s uncle added: “Brian Lara was also a great batsman... Ricky Ponting and Jacques Kallis are... Kallis, in fact, is the No.2 all-rounder after (Sir Garry) Sobers...”

Pollock praised V.V.S. Laxman for producing a gem of an innings under pressure. “He’s been making big contributions and has the skills and the temperament to deliver in demanding situations... I find him most impressive...

“Good batsmen have time to play their shots and Laxman has that quality... He’d rank among the best batsmen of recent times.”

South Africa had lost only one wicket when the interaction took place. At that point, Pollock felt the Test was “evenly poised” and that the home team would have to bat “very well” to get 303.