[a massive zebra]

Another great article as usual.

Originally Posted by fredfertang

In the three matches against South Africa he was all but unplayable, taking 34 wickets at 8.29. The last act of his Test career came in the 1913/14 series in South africa, where he followed that performance up with an astonishing 49 wickets at 10.93. Without the redoubtable Taylor, who averaged over 50 despite his teammates travails, and had he not had to miss the final Test through injury, who knows what Barnes might have achieved.

I always thought he refused to play in the final test after a quarrel with the team management over their refusal to pay his wife's hotel expenses.

Originally Posted by fredfertang

Barnes, who lived on into his 94th year, was still bowling at 80, and although I have never seen it there is film of him bowling at that age. Apparently it is included on a compilation video issued many years ago under the sponsorship of tobacco giant Benson and Hedges.

This, along with some more extensive clips of him bowling league cricket after the war, are shown on this video.