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Harold Larwood

ArkRoyal wrote: Harold Larwood

Fred "Demon" Spofforth would have been another tearaway fast bowler in his day of the 1890s AR.

Slightly off topic but whilst we are talking fast bowling I have really enjoyed watching Rabada from South Africa & Wahab Riaz from Pakistan give the batsmen in their respective Test Matches a going over the last few nights on Fox, there is nothing quite like watching that red ball smash into the timber at a decent pace.

BH: that true -- Rabada is superb and will go down with their greats. For the coming matches, the yarpies will definitely need their injurred bowllers back -- I do not think Olivier or Parnell are test standard.

If I was running, Bangaladesh cricket, BH, I would organise a number of full first class tours around Australia, NZ, SA, England and their batsmen will steadily improve against pace attacks on the quicker pitches.

Just finished reading Lillee & Thommo by Ian Brayshaw, released recently. One very interesting point raised by a policeman was that back in the day the radar they used to test the speed was set up for the end of the pitch (furthest away from the bowler) whereas now days the measurement is apparently taken from release of the hand. The 3 fastest - Akhtar, Lee and Tait - all at 161.3 and Thommo at 160.6 followed by Andy Roberts at 159.5. Both Thommo and Roberts measured in 1975, the other three 2003 to 2010. And we all know technology has come a long way.

for those whom want to watch it, some kind soul has put Pollock's innings in the exhibition game on ytube. He made 89 from 71 balls -- good to hear the voices of Lawry, Greig and Bemaud, commentate on the great man's innings too.

gtrxuone wrote: Mike they say that Roy Frederick's 169 was something else.

I can confirm that.
I was there, in the Members - a guy I played baseball with was a doctor at RPH, and was a member.

Early in the WI innings on the 2nd day, Fredericks cut either Thommo or DK over the boundary in front of the Members - the remainder of his 169 followed in short order.

I was also there - albeit on the opposite side of the ground, in front of the cop shop - in 1976, for the famous Gillette Cup 1 day (40 over) semi- final. After WA was dismissed for a paltry 77, the very strong Banana Benders came to bat with a team which included Viv Richards and Greg Chappell.

The Lillee vs Richards contest decided it - with DK coming out on top.

Watch that battle here: