Fred Trueman – England's greatest-ever fast bowler

[mortaza]

Fred Trueman, born February 6, 1931, was arguably the greatest fast bowler and undeniably the most colourful character produced by England. Let's looks back at his fascinating career.

When Fred Trueman burst into the international scene breathing fire and scorching Indian batsmen with his pace in 1952, reducing them to 0 for four and then picking up eight for 31, he walked right into the English imagination.

The country had hoped, prayed and hankered for a bowler of searing pace who could do unto the Australian batsmen what Ray Lindwall and Keith Miller had done unto their own. And when this earthy Yorkshire youth ran in to bowl, he emerged as an answer to their ardent prayers.

After the game, he would hold his session over beer, where each dismissal would be explained with colour and imagination, and no one could book him for being overly modest. That one was an in-swinging yorker, the other one a late out-swinger, the third one deceived by a slower one. A cheeky young Richard Hutton, son of Trueman’s first Test captain Len Hutton and a teammate of his last Yorkshire years, once asked him, “Did you ever bowl a plain straight ball?” Trueman replied quick as a flash, “Aye, I did - and it went straight through like a stream of piss and flattened all three.”

A lot of the remarks were meant just for good humour. When the MCC team was presented to the Bishop of Perth, Trueman turned to Sheppard and asked, “I suppose he’s your senior pro.” And once exhausted and asked by Peter May to bowl yet another because “England expects”, he shot back, “England always expects, doesn’t she? No wonder she’s called the Mother Country.”

Often the lightning wit was laced with ribaldry. When someone in Aden pointed out a local Sikh saying, “He has 196 wives,” Trueman shot back, “Does he know that with another four he can have a new ball?”

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[Mail]

He certainly set the bowling standard later overtaken by Gibbs etc.

Listened to his commentary and I what a character.

[BallOil]

Mortaza please do not post copyright images here ...thx

[mortaza]

Permission was sought and granted . once we publish the pics and author as we have done, we can
link to the original site . I will comply with your wishes no problemo.

Isnt every article and image a copyrite ?

[Gils]

Greatest ever, but the commies here in blighty are insisting that's Jimmy Anderson.

And 11 for 88 or not, a pint and a fag is now reserved for after, and not during, the match

[Mail]

I just about remember seeing Trueman for the Yorkies but names like Voce, Larwood and Alec Bedster.

Larwood and Voce had fearsome reputations and on the numbers what makes Trueman stand out of these 4 excellent bowlers are his strike rate and an average 4.6 wickets per match something Bedster also did.

If we were to compare Trueman to some 'great' West Indian bowlers, only Marshall,( of Holding, Roberts, Garner, Walsh and Ambrose) had a better strike rate of 46.7 compared to Trueman's 49.4 also Marshall's wickets per Test were slightly better than Trueman's. Marshall is the best West Indian for me.

I always find it difficult comparing eras for conditions, uncovered pitches for example which aided the bowlers, equipment etc.

Jimmy is certainly an excellent bowler but having seen English bowlers from the 60s onwards, I would not think he is the greatest.

I cannot separate Trueman and Bedster.

[Googley]

did you know that Trueman rated Kanhai better that Viv Richards? I heard him say that in 1976!

[Mail]

did you know that Trueman rated Kanhai better that Viv Richards? I heard him say that in 1976!

This does not surprise me as it has long been a view held by me and other English fans, of a certain age, that Kanhai is the best West Indian batsman. Not sure his exploits are as well documented as that of Viv who was no mean player himself.

That is why I am continually surprised when Kanhai is not included in the greatest West Indian team. That said there must be a reason why his documented feats are not lauded by the masses of his countrymen.

His 150 at Sabina 1971 was a gem and I was fortunate to see him then and other occasions. The guy was destructive and merciless but quite placid. He could also temper his innings when required.

I suppose true an would have bowled to Kanhai and not Viv but he was a fair judge of abilities.

What I would say for I both men, Kanhai and Viv, is they could turn a game on its head.

[Googley]

I agree with your sentiments. I still can't understand why Rohan's name is not mentioned when great West Indian players are mentioned in the Caribbean by Caribbean fans!

The rest of the world recognize his talents and gives him the respect he deserves.

Maybe its because his average did not cross the 50 mark!! who knows! I have heard that argument too.

Regardless, thats does not take away from Viv's greatness as you rightfully said. Freddie would know a thing or two about batting, one would suspect!

[mortaza]

The Australians rated Kanhai better than Sobers with the bat , Close to the wicket fielding rated equal.Kanhai a wicket keeper , Sobers a bowler.They both made every World team .

Benaud and Chappell