Pollock, who is a former team mate of Durham captain Dale Benkenstein, represented South Africa in over 100 Test Matches and 300 One Day Internationals. He will play for the Mumbai Indians in the Indian Premier League (IPL) throughout April and May before joining up with the Durham squad in June.
Shaun Pollock said, “When I got the offer from Durham I really jumped at the chance to get on board, they are determined to do well in the Twenty20 Cup and I want to contribute to that success. They proved themselves to be a force in the four day and one day game last year and I’m keen to help them replicate that success in the Twenty20 Cup.”
Durham County Cricket Club Chief Executive David Harker added, “Shaun is one of the biggest talents in world cricket and we’re delighted that he’s decided to join us. He’s got great experience in all formats of the game and we think he’ll bring a great presence to the team, both on and off the field. We’ve got big aspirations for success in the Twenty20 Cup this season and along with Albie [Morkel] I’m sure that we have recruited players with enough Twenty20 experience to help us progress in the competition.”
Pollock is set to make his Durham debut on Wednesday 11 June when they face Derbyshire Phantoms at the Riverside (6.00pm start) in their opening Twenty20 Cup match of the 2008 season.
The Dynamos will play four further home fixtures – Wednesday 18 June v Notts Outlaws, Friday 20 June v Leicestershire Foxes, Tuesday 24 June v Yorkshire Carnegie and Friday 27 June v Lancashire Lightning.
Twenty20 Cup Season tickets are now on sale priced at £40 for adults and £20 for juniors. Two match passes are also available priced at £20 for adults and £10 for juniors. Individual match tickets are priced at £12 for adults (£15 on the day) and £5 for juniors (£6 on the day). Tickets can be purchased online at www.durhamcricket.co.uk or by calling the Box Office, during office hours, on 0844 499 4466.
Shaun Pollock will be commentating on the Test Match series as well as the NatWest One Day Internationals and Twenty 20 match between England and South Africa this summer for Sky Sports and BBC Test Match Special.
Paul King, Sky Sports cricket producer says :
“Shaun Pollock is one of the biggest names in South African cricket and we’re delighted to add him to our commentary team later this summer. Having played over 100 Tests and 300 One-Day Internationals for his country, I’m sure he’ll provide fascinating insight throughout the series.”
Adam Mountford, Producer Test Match Special says :
“We are thrilled that Shaun is joining Jonathan Agnew, Geoff Boycott and the rest of the Test Match Special team for the South African tour. Having been so recently involved in the international game, and indeed still playing cricket at a high level, he will be able to provide a fascinating insight. We just hope he will give more away when he is commentating than he does when he is bowling !”