Ray Lindwall - Australia's Finest

[fredfertang]

Ray Lindwall - Australia's Finest

Over the years Australian cricket has produced a succession of top class fast bowlers - there aren't so many left now who saw Ray Lindwall in his pomp, but most of those still believe him to be the best of the lot

 

[AndrewB]

Typo in the middle: "Perhaps the Australians were suspicious that Hutton and England were trying their old trick of trying to influence the selection of the England team" - should of course be "of the Australia team".

When I used to read the articles about ex-cricketers in the Wisden/Cricketer magazines of the late 80s/early 90s, I always got the impression that Lindwall was generally regarded as the best fast bowler of all time. Of course, they weren't big fans of the tactics of the WIPQs, and maybe that encompassed Lillee/Thomson as well. (Not that I'm saying they were clearly better than him, but I get the impression that Lillee and Marshall at least would be ranked above Lindwall by most folks nowadays).

 

[fredfertang]

Typo in the middle: "Perhaps the Australians were suspicious that Hutton and England were trying their old trick of trying to influence the selection of the England team" - should of course be "of the Australia team".

When I used to read the articles about ex-cricketers in the Wisden/Cricketer magazines of the late 80s/early 90s, I always got the impression that Lindwall was generally regarded as the best fast bowler of all time. Of course, they weren't big fans of the tactics of the WIPQs, and maybe that encompassed Lillee/Thomson as well. (Not that I'm saying they were clearly better than him, but I get the impression that Lillee and Marshall at least would be ranked above Lindwall by most folks nowadays).

Thanks for that - still doesn't quite say what I was trying to say, but I think I bit off more than I could chew with that - still I'm sure you knew I was referring to Alf Dipper

 

[Lillian Thomson]

I was confused by that line - and to be honest I'm now even more confused.

 

[BoyBrumby]

It's hard to argue the great man didn't chose the stronger of his two sports, but his league career was impressive nonetheless. Although he retired at 25 he'd already played in two Grand Finals (sadly losing both) & represented New South Wales in the pre-Origin interstate series.

 

[The Battlers Prince]

I was always told by my Pop that Lindwall (and in particular, his late away swing) was the best bowler he'd ever seen. Thoroughly enjoyed that read Fred.

 

[mr_mister]

Bradman wanted him to open the bowling in his atg XI with Lillee for what's that's worth

Maybe he's bias though

 

[Burgey]

Does anyone else think he might have chucked them?

 

[social]

Does anyone else think he might have chucked them?

Those slo-mos of his action are decidedly dodgy

 

[Midwinter]

Nothing I have read over the years indicates that anyone had any doubt about his action, either from his own team or the opposition.

He was regarded as one the finest fast bowlers in the history of the game.

Articles written during the "let's get rid of chucker's" era of the late 50's early 60's never mentioned his action as suspect.

However the first time I ever watched film of him bowling I thought the same as Burgey..

It's a curious one.

Anyone know what Ritchie Benaud thought of Lindwall's action, given Benaud thought Charlie Griffith chucked ?

 

[Red]

Griffith was definitely more obvious.

Jack Potter analyses Lindwall's action on the Cricket Archives DVD and says its more hyperextension than chuck. Similar to Larwood fwiw

 

[Burgey]

Also, Fred. This is some of the best work. Great read.

 

[Pratters]

Really well written.

 

[OverratedSanity]

Does anyone else think he might have chucked them?

Always looked like hyperextension to me.

 

[Biryani Pillow]

Nothing I have read over the years indicates that anyone had any doubt about his action, either from his own team or the opposition.

He was regarded as one the finest fast bowlers in the history of the game.

Articles written during the "let's get rid of chucker's" era of the late 50's early 60's never mentioned his action as suspect.

However the first time I ever watched film of him bowling I thought the same as Burgey..

It's a curious one.

Anyone know what Ritchie Benaud thought of Lindwall's action, given Benaud thought Charlie Griffith chucked ?

I've read about Ian Peebles (author of the book "Four Chukkas To Australia" about the 1958/59 ashes series) meeting Ray Lindwall and Ray shaking ian's hand and saying "Say hello to the last proper bowler in Australia" with a smile. Peebles said his smile back was slightly ironic.

I think the feeling was there were some questions about Lindwall's action but there were worse earlier in the 50s - and much worse at the end of the decade. I once saw a clip of Ian Meckiff 'bowling'. How that was ever allowed is incredible.

Many years ago I met Ray Lindwall, and Neil Harvey. Gentlemen the pair of them.

 

[Gob]

Fantastic read. Its also interesting to read how even the top level players had to have other means of income when playing and once retired.