[Midwinter]

Fascinating thread

Excellent work by SJS

A few things tho'

Bowlers don't bowl their fastest all of the time so a keeper standing up may be part of a ploy to trap a batsman. Lillee bowled off a short run regularly.

Once upon a time keepers were picked for their keeping skills rather than their batting.

Each author, including Bradman, can only talk about what they know and of course the players they played against will be regarded higher than others.

The variety of Barne's bowling and his singleminded focus on it throughout his life indicated he had the discipline to perfect his line and length.

County cricket and test cricket had become established by the time Barnes was playing, so for Maclaren to pick him out of league cricket would be as big a shock then as today.


WHERE IS THE FOOTAGE OF BARNES BOWLING ????