Line and Length
International Coach
In the history of Test cricket, many players have had their careers interrupted by various factor. Two World Wars had an impact on cricket overall and one can only speculate what ATGs like Bradman might have achieved without the intervention of WWII. Apartheid had obviously affected many great South Africans of the era while WSC interrupted a number of recognised Test careers. Injury and illness have also caused gaps inj a number of Test careers.
Rather than looking at the obvious ATGs, I've opened this thread to analyse the careers of players on a lower tier who might be more widely known but for any of these factors.
Eric Rowan was a dominant personality in South African cricket for more than 20 years on either side of the Second World War He sometimes batted without gloves and, allegedly, without a "box" protector, and he was fearless against authority too. This led at times to his omission from the South African Test team, notably when he was left out of the 1947 tour to England.
Before WWII Rowan played 12 Tests, primarily as a first drop and averaged 36.05 . When Tests resumed in 1947 he was overlooked but subsequently played 14 more Tests where he averaged 47.42 including 3 centuries. When he played his final Test he was 42 but was still worthy of selection when once again discarded by authoritarian selectors for the following series.
To have missed selection whilst in the 29 to 38 age range is a huge chunk of a player's peak prowess. One can only wonder what might have been.
I hope to add a few more lesser lights to this thread and also invite others to contribute
Rather than looking at the obvious ATGs, I've opened this thread to analyse the careers of players on a lower tier who might be more widely known but for any of these factors.
Eric Rowan was a dominant personality in South African cricket for more than 20 years on either side of the Second World War He sometimes batted without gloves and, allegedly, without a "box" protector, and he was fearless against authority too. This led at times to his omission from the South African Test team, notably when he was left out of the 1947 tour to England.
Before WWII Rowan played 12 Tests, primarily as a first drop and averaged 36.05 . When Tests resumed in 1947 he was overlooked but subsequently played 14 more Tests where he averaged 47.42 including 3 centuries. When he played his final Test he was 42 but was still worthy of selection when once again discarded by authoritarian selectors for the following series.
To have missed selection whilst in the 29 to 38 age range is a huge chunk of a player's peak prowess. One can only wonder what might have been.
I hope to add a few more lesser lights to this thread and also invite others to contribute