The Man Who Humbled The Don

[fredfertang]

The Man Who Humbled The Don

Don Bradman is without question the greatest that the game has seen. Eddie Gilbert is one of the few bowlers who can legitimately claim to have won their personal battle with him

 

[Burgey]

This is beautiful. Beautiful and sad all at once.

 

[Starfighter]

24 Jan 1935 - DOES EDDIE GILBERT THROW BALL WHEN BOWLING? - Trove

On Gilbert's action Watson dug up this article in another thread when the issue was raised, which shows some frames from when he was filmed bowling after being called by Barlow. They might be of interest. Unfortunately I don't think any of the films will ever be seen again.

 

[Burgey]

"Bowled out five of the opposition and knocked out four others". JFC

 

[the big bambino]

For a number of reasons based solely on cricket, I don't think he was ever playing for Australia. From what I've read he was no chucker though. Barlow had a reputation for being a bit of a tit.

 

[Red]

Should have rolled him out for the second test of the Bodyline series and put Jardine firmly back in his ****ing box!

Tragic story though, what a shame he wasn't even given a test.

 

[mr_mister]

Yeah would have been amazing if they let him play tests

Oh well our nation was a bunch of racist ****s back then

 

[Burgey]

Yeah would have been amazing if they let him play tests

Oh well our nation was a bunch of racist ****s back then

As opposed to.....

 

[mr_mister]

haha. we've still come a long way since back then, the generation from that era definitely had worse views than today, on average

we still have a long way to go though sure

 

[the big bambino]

Seriously it would've been like picking Shaun Tait, and the way that turned proved they had a bit of insight then.

EDIT. Mind you I think Eddie was better then Tait.

 

[Red]

Seriously it would've been like picking Shaun Tait, and the way that turned proved they had a bit of insight then.

Why Tait rather than Thommo or Tyson?

 

[mr_mister]

yeah, don't think Tait had the wood over even Ponting/Martyn/Hayden like Gilbert did over Bradman

 

[the big bambino]

Why Tait rather than Thommo or Tyson?

He was nowhere near Thommo or Tyson level. The comparison with Tait is the most reasonable. Extreme pace, sure. But he blew out inside a session. Gilbert's domination was to a degree fortuitous in that he got Bradman twice in Brisbane. He did very little anywhere else. It was a great effort though and he had to be good enough to convert the advantage. Besides I saw Tait give Steve Waugh some humpty in a domestic LO match. When on his game and in a short spell, its not far fetched seeing a man of his speed upset great batsmen.

 

[Camo999]

Gilbert & Laurie Nash opening the attack in the bodyline series would've been interesting.

Great piece by the way. Excellent read.

 

[stephen]

I've played on Eddie Gilbert Oval though at the time it was not yet called that and I had no idea of the history of the place. Haunting backdrop with the asylum behind it. The oval itself was covered in kangaroo crap and was utterly terrible to field on.

Saw I guy get hit really badly in the box that game. He was hobbling and in obvious pain for the rest of the game but refused to call for an ambulance. Probably ended up costing him part of his manhood ITBT.

 

[The Battlers Prince]

Really enjoyed it Fred, have been wanting to read some more about Eddie