Publications
Partners
Cape Town - Proteas legend Graeme Pollock says his comments published last week in which he seemingly lashed out at political meddling in sport were "misconstrued".
Pollock was criticised heavily on social media after he was quoted as saying that, as long as there was political interference in the national cricket side and they were not putting their best XI players on the field, South Africa would never be the best team in the world.
Now, a week after the story broke, the 73-year-old Pollock has released a statement in which he apologised for the way in which his comments were interpreted.
"Speaking from London, Graeme Pollock wishes to convey his heartiest congratulations to Faf (du Plessis) and his team for their excellent Test victory at Trent Bridge. With the series now level at 1 all this sets up the series for a fascinating outcome," a statement, released by Pollock's spokesperson Basil O'Hagan, read.
"Graeme also extends his sincerest apologies to CSA Board and the South African cricketing public for the manner in which his comments at a recent function in London were totally misconstrued.
"Graeme fully supports the endeavours of the transformation process as further evidenced in the radio interview he had on July 6 with Jonathan Agnew of BBC's TMS broadcast."
When contacted for comment by Sport24, O'Hagan re-iterated that Pollock was "the last guy who is racist".
O'Hagan made mention of the fact that Pollock was involved in a protest against the South African apartheid government that was organised by Barry Richards and Mike Procter.
Pollock, along with other players, walked off the field after just one ball was bowled in an exhibition match to take a stand against the apartheid government.
That protest was centred around players of colour not being picked for national honours and tours abroad - something that Procter, Richard, Pollock and co. were firmly against.
O'Hagan added that Pollock "many of Pollock's best friends are players of colour" and that he was 'fully for transformation".
