William Pollock (cricketer)

William Pollock (28 August 1886 – 24 November 1972) was an Irish first-class cricketer.

Pollock was born at Holywood in County Down, and was educated at Campbell College, Belfast.[1] Considered to be the best Irish batsman of his time,[2] Pollock made his debut in first-class cricket for Ireland against Scotland at Perth in 1909.[3] His next first-class appearance came against the same opposition the following year at Dublin, before a two year gap before his next first-class appearance,[3] which came for Stanley Cochrane's Woodbrook Club and Ground against the touring South Africans at Bray.[1][3] His next appearance in first-class cricket came a decade later against Scotland in 1922,[3] which saw Pollock record his only first-class century when he made 144 opening the batting in Ireland's first-innings.[4] His final first-class appearance came the following year against the same opposition,[3] with Pollock scoring 81 runs in Ireland's first-innings.[5] Considered unfortunate not to play more times for Ireland,[1] Pollock scored a total 312 runs across his five first-class matches at an average of 34.66, while with the ball he took 9 wickets at a bowling average of 22.22, with best figures of 3/47.[6] Following his retirement from playing regular cricket, Pollock coached cricket at Rockport School and later ran a timber business.[1] His son, Stuart Pollock, also played first-class cricket for Ireland and was president of the Irish Cricket Union.[1]