Pat Symcox

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Kallis greatest cricketer ever, says Symcox

Pat Symcox Biography

Despite the physique of a gladiator and the strength of an ox, Pat Symcox bowled innocuously slow off-breaks, relying more on accuracy than turn or loop. His role was more of containment as an army of ferocious fast bowlers steamed in at the other end.

His average of 43.32 look poor, but combine them with an economy rate of 2.70 and a batting average of 28.50, and you will probably understand the role he played in South African cricket in the 1990s. It was not an easy task, competing with younger, fitter men like Nicky Boje and Derek Crookes in limited-overs cricket and the colourful Paul Adams in whites, but Symcox did have a decent career.

His greatest show came at Faisalabad in 1997-98, where he came out at 98 for 7 and smashed a 94-ball 81 in a 124-run stand. Promoted to No. 4, he scored an uncharacteristically obdurate 55. And then he opened bowling to round things off with figures of 9.3-5-8-3.

And when Pakistan came over the next season, Symcox slammed 108 in 157 balls, batting at No. 10. He became the third man to score a Test hundred from No. 10, putting up a world-record stand of 195 with Mark Boucher in the process.

In the same decade his economy rate of 4.15 was the best among spinners with a 500-over cut-off. With his ability to clear the ground and squeeze out inexpensive overs, Symcox remained a crucial cog for South Africa during the Hansie Cronje era.

There were several moments of glory. Against India at Sharjah in 1995-96 he slammed a 49-ball 61 and bowled 6 overs for 23; South Africa won their first tournament away from home. In the Carlton & United Series in Australia in 1997-98 he averaged 23 with bat and 26 with ball (with an economy of 3.85).

The jovial, perpetually smiling but outspoken Symcox later became a commentator for SuperSport TV. He quit when, by his own words, the broadcasters tried to put a restriction on what he said. He also had stints for ESPN and Channel 10. An avid golfer, he currently owns the REMAX Toti real-estate franchise in KwaZulu Natal in the Durban suburbs.

Abhishek Mukherjee

Pat Symcox Batting & Fielding Averages

Career

Avg

100s

50s

Test

ODIs

T20s

World Cup

Pat Symcox Bowling Averages

Career	M	B	R	W	Avg	EC	SR	5WI	10WM	BBI	BBM
Test	--	--	--	--	--	--	--	--	--
ODIs	--	--	--	--	--	--	--	--	--
T20s	--	--	--	--	--	--	--	--	--
World Cup	--	--	--	--	--	--	--	--	--	2/64	--