Ray Lindwall with the Australian cricket team in England in 1948
Personal information | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Full name | Raymond Russell Lindwall | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Born | Mascot, Sydney, Australia | 3 October 1921|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Died | 23 June 1996 Brisbane, Australia | (aged 74)|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Batting | Right-handed | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Bowling | Right-arm fast | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Role | All-rounder | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
International information | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
National side | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Test debut | 10 June 1948 v England | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Last Test | 14 August 1948 v England | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Career statistics | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Lindwall played as a right-arm opening fast bowler and right-handed batsman in the lower middle-order. Along with Keith Miller, Lindwall formed Australia's first-choice pace duo, regarded as one of the best of all time, and Bradman typically used them in short and sharp bursts against the home batsmen. The pair were used to target England's leading batsmen, Len Hutton and Denis Compton during the major matches, and subdued Hutton for much of the summer. England had agreed to make a new ball available after every 55 overs, more often than the usual regulations at the time, thereby allowing the pair more frequent use of a shiny ball that swung at high pace. Bradman gave the duo lighter workloads in the tour matches in order to preserve their energy for the new ball battles against England's key batsmen in the Tests. Lindwall was a capable lower-order batsman who made two Test centuries during his career, and he featured in several rearguard actions that boosted Australia's scores during the tour.
Lindwall was the equal leading wicket-taker in the Tests (27 along with Bill Johnston) and had the best bowling average (19.62) and strike rate. In the first-class matches, he led the averages although he was second in the wicket-taking list with 86 at 15.68 behind Johnston (102), who was assigned more of the workload in order to keep Miller and Lindwall fresh for the Tests. With the bat, Lindwall scored 191 runs at a batting average of 31.83 in the Tests.
Lindwall's most influential contributions in the Ashes matches were his 5/70 in the first innings of the Second Test at Lord's, a hard-hitting 77 that limited Australia's first innings deficit in the Fourth Test at Headingley, and most notably, his 6/20 on the first day of the Fifth Test at The Oval. The performance was a display of extreme pace and swing that earned high praise from pundits and was largely responsible for England being bowled out for 52. Outside the Tests, Lindwall took 11/59 in a match against Sussex, with eight of his victims being bowled as the ball curved through their defences at high pace. In recognition of his achievements, Lindwall was chosen as one of the five Wisden Cricketers of the Year. Wisden said that "by whatever standard he is judged ... [Lindwall] must be placed permanently in the gallery of great fast bowlers".[1]
Background
A bowler of express pace, Lindwall was a regular member of the Test team and had opened Australia's attack since the resumption of cricket following World War II. During the Australian summer of 1947–48, Lindwall played in all five Tests against the touring India national cricket team. He played a major part in Australia's 4–0 series win as the leading wicket-taker with 18 scalps at an average of 16.88, ahead of Ian Johnson and Bill Johnston who took 16 apiece at averages of 16.31 and 11.37 respectively.[2] As a result, Lindwall was selected as part of Don Bradman's Invincibles that toured England without defeat in 1948, with the intention of leading the pace attack. There were two concerns for Lindwall in the lead-up to the tour. Lindwall had been playing with an injured leg tendon and his foot drag during the delivery stride led to discussion in the media and among umpires as to its legality.[1][3] Bradman arranged for Lindwall to see his Melbourne masseur Ern Saunders, who restored the paceman's leg to prime condition in a fortnight. On the public relations front, Bradman stated his firm belief in the fairness of Lindwall's delivery. During the lengthy sea voyage to England, Bradman emphasized the importance of caution with respect to his bowling action.[3] Bradman advised Lindwall to ensure that his dragging rear right foot was further behind the line than usual to avoid being no-balled, and to refrain from bowling at full speed until the umpires were satisfied with his delivery stride. The Australian captain guaranteed Lindwall selection for the Tests and told him that his first priority in the lead-in tour matches was passing the umpires' scrutiny.[3] Bradman recalled how paceman Ernie McCormick had been no-balled 35 times in the traditional tour opener against Worcester during the 1938 campaign, destroying his confidence for the rest of the season.[3]
Early tour
In the lead-up to the match against Worcestershire, photographers and cameramen constantly followed Lindwall, trying to capture visual evidence of an illegal drag when he was bowling in the
Bradman rested Lindwall for the second tour match against Leicestershire, which ended in an innings victory for the Australians.[10][11] Lindwall returned for the next fixture against Yorkshire at Bradford, but bowled only nine overs for a total of 1/16. He made a duck in the first innings on a damp pitch favourable to slower bowling, as Australia scraped home by four wickets. Lindwall was due in next when Australia collapsed to 6/31 in pursuit of 60 for victory in the second innings. The tourists were effectively seven wickets down with the injured Sam Loxton unable to bat, but Neil Harvey and Don Tallon saw Australia to the target without further loss. It was the closest Australia came to defeat for the whole tour.[11][12][13] The Australians travelled to London to play Surrey at The Oval. They batted first and Lindwall managed only four, clean bowled by Alec Bedser,[14] as Australia amassed 632. He then took the first two wickets to reduce Surrey to 2/15 in the first innings. Bradman used Lindwall sparingly, taking a match total of 3/45 from 25 overs as Surrey were defeated by an innings.[15] Fingleton felt that Lindwall was at his fastest for the season during the Surrey match. One of Lindwall's bouncers flew over three feet above the batsman's head.[16]
Lindwall had another light workout in the match against Cambridge University, taking match figures of 1/33 from nine overs. His solitary wicket was that of Doug Insole, and he was not required to bat as Australia completed another innings victory.[11] After the fixture against Cambridge, Lindwall was rested for two consecutive matches. In the first, Australia crushed Essex by an innings and 451 runs, its largest winning margin for the summer. The second match resulted in another innings victory, this time over Oxford University.[10][11]
Lindwall was brought back for the match against the
In the next match against Nottinghamshire at Trent Bridge, Lindwall took 6/14 to gain a psychological blow ahead of the First Test to be held at the same venue.[1] After taking the first four wickets and cutting through the top-order, the paceman returned to finish off the tail and ensure the hosts were dismissed for 179.[25] Lindwall bowled three of his victims with fast and swinging yorkers.[3] He delivered 91 balls, conceding less than a run per over. Only ten of his balls were scored from and not a single run was taken from his last 30 balls. Fingleton said that Lindwall "absolutely paralysed" the batsmen, with some of his bowling "in the real Larwood manner".[26] Harold Larwood was a Nottinghamshire express pace bowler of the 1920s and 1930s who led the controversial Bodyline attack in Australia in 1932–33, and Lindwall modelled his bowling action on Larwood after seeing him in action at the Sydney Cricket Ground during the tour.[27] Lindwall could only manage eight runs with the bat and was unable to repeat his incisive bowling in the second innings, sending down 14 wicketless overs as the match ended in a draw.[25]
Lindwall was rested for Australia's eight-wicket win over
First Test
Lindwall lined up for the First Test at Trent Bridge, a venue where he had taken six wickets in the tour game against Nottinghamshire. Australia bowled first, and Lindwall delivered the first ball of the match at a moderate pace; Hutton pushed it square of the wicket on the off side for a single to start proceedings.
Although Lindwall was able to jog between the wickets, he did not take the field in the second innings and the
However, the gains provided by Harvey were outweighed by Lindwall's absence, which severely hampered Australia's bowling and made their eventual victory much more difficult.[39] England made 441 and Australia reached their target of 98 on the final afternoon to complete an eight-wicket victory.[3][17] Due to his injury, Lindwall was omitted from the team for the two matches leading up to the Second Test. Australia proceeded to defeat Northamptonshire by an innings before drawing with Yorkshire.[10][11]
Second Test
Two weeks after injuring himself at Trent Bridge,[10] Lindwall undertook a thorough fitness examination on the morning of the Second Test at Lord's. Bradman was not convinced of the bowler's fitness, but Lindwall—keen to play at the historic ground known as the "home of cricket"—was able to convince his captain to risk his inclusion.[40] Australia won the toss and elected to bat,[18] allowing Lindwall further time to recover. He came in late on the first afternoon with the score at 7/246 and made three runs before stumps were called at 7/258.[18] The next morning, Lindwall batted confidently from the outset. He hit two cover drives for four from Bedser after the new ball had been taken, prompting O'Reilly to say that Lindwall was playing in the same manner as when he made his maiden Test century in the last Ashes series in 1946–47. However, he then played around a straight ball from Bedser, and was bowled for 15 to leave the score at 275/8.[18][41] Australia were out for 350 shortly before lunch on the second morning. In the hosts' reply, Lindwall took the new ball and felt pain in his groin after delivering the first ball of the innings to Len Hutton.[40] Despite this, the paceman persevered through the pain.[40]
In his fourth over, Lindwall had Washbrook caught behind for eight after needlessly playing at a ball wide outside off stump.[40][42] Before lunch, Lindwall bowled six overs and took 1/7, while Bill Johnston accompanied him from the other end because Keith Miller had a back injury and was only able to bat.[18][43] Neither Hutton nor Washbrook appeared comfortable against the bowling, and the new batsman Bill Edrich tried to hit Lindwall through the off side, leading to a loud appeal for caught behind, which was turned down.[42] After the lunch break, Hutton fell, and Compton came in, having been dismissed hit wicket after falling over in the First Test while trying to avoid a bouncer. Lindwall delivered a few short balls straight away, but the new batsman was not caught off-guard.[44] Lindwall then clean bowled Bill Edrich—who was playing across the line of the ball—for five. Tom Dollery was the new batsman and stopped the first ball with his pads before Lindwall's next delivery broke through his defences and hit the stumps to send him back to the pavilion for a duck.[40][43][44] Dollery's bat was about to start its downward swing by the time Lindwall's outswinger had passed him and hit the stumps.[44] O'Reilly said that Dollery's inability to deal with Lindwall was typical of English cricket's lack of answers to express pace bowling.[44] This was part of a six-over post-lunch spell of 2/11 by Lindwall; the batsmen appeared unable to deal with his swing and extreme pace. England were 4/46 and Australia firmly in control, but the home side were given some respite when both Lindwall and Johnston were taken out of the attack.[43] Australia had the option of taking the new ball just before the tea break, but Bradman decided to wait so his two pacemen could have an extra 20 minutes to replenish their energy levels.[45]
Once the second new ball was taken after tea, Lindwall returned but appeared to be tired and lacking in spirit in his first over.[45] Johnston removed Compton, and one run later, Lindwall clipped Yardley's off stump with the first ball of the next over to leave England at 134/6; the home skipper had made 44 before an outswinger had evaded his bat as he attempted to play a back foot defensive shot.[45][46] At the start of the third morning, he bowled Alec Bedser off an inside edge from a bouncer to finish with 5/70 as Australia took a 135-run first innings lead on the third morning.[18][47] O'Reilly said Lindwall "bowled as well as any fast bowler can bowl. He always seemed to have the situation sized up correctly and he knew just when to put his all into the task ... and enjoyed a triumph which seldom comes to any bowler."[48] Arlott praised Lindwall for his subtle variations in pace, line and length, and how he kept the batsman guessing as to what was coming to them.[49]
Bradman's batsmen set about building on their lead and Lindwall was initially not expected to bat; the Australian captain was expected to declare just before lunch on the fourth day so he could attack the English openers for a short period before the adjournment, but a shower deterred him from doing so, as his bowlers would have struggled to grip the ball. Lindwall had also been injured on a slippery surface in earlier times.[50] Lindwall came to the crease to join Miller with Australia at 5/416 on the fourth afternoon.[18] They attacked at every opportunity before the declaration. Miller fell and Lindwall ran out of his crease in attempt to hit Laker across the line to the boundary. He missed and was stumped for 25. This prompted Bradman to declare at 7/460 immediately upon his dismissal, leaving England to chase a world record 596 for victory.[18][51]
Further showers breathed extra life into the pitch at the start of the run chase, and Lindwall and Johnston extracted steep bounce with the new ball, troubling the English batsmen. Lindwall dropped Hutton from Johnston's bowling before he had scored and the English batsmen played and missed multiple times.
Hutton and Washbrook took the score to 42—England's highest opening partnership of the series thus far
Lindwall returned on the final morning with the score at 6/141. Dollery, who had been batting with assurance,[54] shaped to duck under a Lindwall bouncer, but it skidded through low and bowled him. Later in the same over, Lindwall bowled Laker for a duck to leave England at 8/141. The match ended when Doug Wright hit Ernie Toshack to Lindwall and was caught for four.[18][46] Lindwall ended with 3/61 as Australia took a 409-run victory.[18] Arlott said that while Toshack (5/40) had the best figures, Lindwall was the pivotal figure. He said that when Lindwall "so patently disturbed Hutton he struck a blow at the morale of the English batting that was never overcome."[55] In later years, Bradman told Lindwall he pretended not to notice the bowler's pain. Lindwall was worried Bradman had noticed his injury and would be disappointed, but the Australian captain later claimed to have feigned ignorance to allow Lindwall to relax and focus on his bowling.[40]
After carrying an injury into the Second Test, Bradman rested Lindwall for the match against Surrey, which started the day after the proceedings at Lord's ended; Australia took a ten-wicket victory.[10][11] Lindwall returned for the match against Gloucestershire. Australia batted first and made 7/774, its highest score of the tour and the second highest by any Australian team in England.[10][56] Lindwall was not able to partake in the prolific run-getting, as the tourists declared before he had scored. He bowled a total of 21 overs, taking 0/41 as Australia enforced the follow on and won by an innings and 363 runs.[11]
Third Test
When the teams reconvened at
Lindwall then struck Edrich on the hand with a short ball, provoking angry heckling from spectators who compared him to Larwood. During this period, both Edrich and Compton found it difficult to position themselves quickly enough to play Lindwall.[63] The Australian paceman then hit Compton on the arm, and soon after, felled him with a bouncer that the batsman top-edged into his face.[19][57][64] This forced Compton to leave the field with a bloodied eyebrow with the score at 2/33.[65] Upon hearing the umpire's call of no-ball while the ball was travelling towards him, and knowing he was immune from dismissal, Compton decided to change his stroke. Having initially positioned himself to deflect the ball into the leg side, he then attempted to hook the ball, but could not readjust quickly enough. The velocity of the ball was such that after rebounding from his head, it flew more than half-way to the boundary before landing.[62] This was followed by a period of slow play as England tried to regroup.[66][67]
Lindwall returned to take the second new ball and trapped
At the start of England's second innings, Washbrook took a single from Lindwall, who promptly removed Emmett for a duck. Lindwall pitched an
Lindwall returned for a new spell late on the third day and almost hit Washbrook in the head.[75] Hassett again dropped Washbrook, who was on 78 when he again hooked Lindwall to long leg. The Australian vice-captain responded by borrowing a helmet from a nearby policeman to signify his need for protection from the ball, much to the amusement of the crowd.[64][76] Lindwall ended with 1/37 as England declared at their stumps score of 3/174 after the entire fourth day and the final morning was washed out. The match petered into a draw with Lindwall not required as Australia safely batted out the final day.[19] Lindwall played in Australia's only match—against Middlesex—before the Fourth Test, but was not at his best. He and Miller had been partying heavily in the days before the match, and were out and binge drinking on the night before the match; they did not return until after dawn, when they were caught severely inebriated by Bradman at breakfast time. Miller was rested for the match, but Lindwall was selected for the match.[77] The home team won the toss and elected to bat, so Lindwall could not rest and sober up in the dressing room while the specialist batsmen were at work. He was asked to bowl a lengthy spell in warm and sunny conditions on the opening morning, and was at times lying on the ground in an attempt to recover during stoppages. Nevertheless, he ended with 1/28 from 16 overs, the opposition still unable to score heavily despite his obvious lethargy.[78] He took a total of 3/59 from 25 overs and scored one as the tourists won by an innings,[10][11] removing the home team's captain George Mann twice and Edrich once.[79] In the second innings, Lindwall took 2/31, but effectively had a third wicket. He bowled a bouncer at opener Jack Robertson, who tried to hook, but missed, suffered a fractured jaw and was forced to retire hurt, prompting angry shouting and booing from sections of the crowd. Robertson defended Lindwall, contending that the delivery was fair and that he had executed his shot incorrectly.[80]
Fourth Test
Hutton returned for the Fourth Test at Headingley and played effectively. At one stage he and Washbrook took five boundaries from six Lindwall overs.[81] An opening partnership of 168 resulted until Lindwall bowled him for 81. The English opener went onto the front foot and was clean bowled, much to the dismay of the home crowd.[82] The stand came after Washbrook had decided to refrain from hooking Lindwall's bouncers, which had caused him problems in the earlier Tests.[83] England did not lose their second wicket until the last over of the day, when Washbrook hit Johnston into Lindwall's hands for 143, leaving the total at 2/268.[20][83] Both Fingleton and O'Reilly criticised the bowling group as a whole for what they deemed a very lethargic display; the former deemed it the worst day's performance since World War II and the latter accused all the Australian bowlers of operating "without object".[84][85]
During the innings, Lindwall appealed for lbw four times while wicket-keeper Ron Saggers—standing in for the injured Tallon—remained silent, not supporting the appeal.[86] England ran up a large score of 496 but squandered a very strong position after losing their last 8 wickets for 73 runs; Lindwall had Compton caught down the leg side to give Saggers his first Test catch, leaving England at 6/473.[20][87] Lindwall ended with 2/79 from 38 overs.[20] Fingleton said "this grand fast bowler held the side together splendidly and answered every call".[87] O’Reilly said that until England collapsed—mostly due to unforced errors despite favourable conditions[88]—only Lindwall appeared capable of threatening the batsmen.[89] He said the paceman "kept slogging away, tirelessly retaining his pace and enthusiasm long after the other members of the attack had lost all signs of hostility ... Bradman could not afford to spare him from doing much more than his share of the galley-slave work."[89] O’Reilly decried Lindwall's workload as excessive and potentially harmful to his longevity.[90]
In reply, Australia was still some way behind when Lindwall came in at 6/329 on the third afternoon. With the fall of Sam Loxton and Saggers in quick succession, Bradman's men were at 8/355 with only Johnston and Toshack remaining.[20] Lindwall hit out, scoring 77 in an innings marked by powerful driving and pulling;[91] he dominated in stands of 48 and 55 with Johnston and Toshack respectively.[20] He particularly liked to use his feet to get to the ball on the half-volley to hit lofted drives.[92] Of the 103 runs added for the last two wickets, the two tail-enders managed only 25 between them.[20] Johnston accompanied Lindwall for 80 minutes, before the injured Toshack survived the last 50 minutes until stumps with Johnston running for him. Australia were 9/457 at stumps, with Lindwall on 76 and Toshack on 12.[20][93] During Lindwall's partnership with Johnston, Yardley bowled himself for over an hour, failing to bring on a frontline bowler in his stead despite being unable to dislodge the batsmen.[94] Lindwall farmed the strike by trying to hit boundaries and twos during the over, but Yardley did not resort to the tactic of setting a deep field to yield a single to Lindwall to get the tailenders on strike.[94] Despite Toshack and Johnston's lack of familiarity with having and acting as a runner respectively, and the resulting disorders in running between the wickets, Lindwall was able to manipulate the strike and face most of the balls.[95] O’Reilly speculated that Yardley may have bowled himself in an attempt to contain the Australians rather than dismiss them before the close of play, so his openers would not have to bat for a short period before stumps when the visitors' attack could have made inroads. However, Yardley was neither able to contain Lindwall nor dismiss the Australians.[96] Sunday was a rest day, and on Monday,[97] the fourth morning, Lindwall was the last man out in the third over of the day, leaving Australia on 458, 38 runs in arrears on the first innings.[20] Lindwall edged Bedser into the slips cordon and Crapp took the catch low down in his left hand.[97]
England made a strong start in their second innings—the openers registered their second century stand for the match. When Australia took the second new ball, Lindwall—worried by the substantial and hazardous craters in the pitch he and the other bowlers had created while following through on the left-hand side of the crease
The paceman was rested for the match against Derbyshire immediately after the Headingley Test, which Australia won by an innings.[10][11] Lindwall returned for the match against Glamorgan and took 2/36 in a rain-affected draw that did not reach the second innings.[11] In the next match against Warwickshire, he claimed 3/27 in the first innings, taking three consecutive middle-order wickets—including Test batsmen Tom Dollery and Abdul Hafeez Kardar—in the space of 12 balls as the hosts fell for 138.[102][103] In reply, Australia stumbled to 6/161 when Lindwall joined Hassett. The pair put on 70 for the seventh wicket, the largest partnership in a low-scoring match. Lindwall ended with 45, the second highest score for the entire match, as Australia took a 116-run lead. He took the first wicket and ended with 1/32 as Bradman's men won by nine wickets.[102] Australia proceeded to face Lancashire at Old Trafford for the second time during the season in a match that doubled as Washbrook's benefit. Lindwall made 17 in the tourists' first innings of 321 and then dismissed the home side's first three batsmen, taking 3/32 as Lancashire fell for 130. Washbrook top-scored with 38 before Lindwall had him caught in the slips by Miller. He also collected several painful bruises from Lindwall on his right hand and thumb. Bradman described his leading paceman as being in "stupendous form ... I have not seen before or since such sustained brilliance from a pace bowler".[24][104] Australia made 3/265 declared in their second innings, leaving the hosts with a target of 457 in less than a day, with Washbrook unable to bat due to Lindwall's bruising bowling. Lindwall bowled both openers with the new ball, but Lancashire appeared to be safely batting out a draw at 5/191 with only eight minutes remaining. Lindwall returned after Bradman took the new ball, and told the slip cordon to move halfway back to the boundary. Bowling with a tailwind, Lindwall was at full pace, in one of the fastest displays Bradman had seen in his long career. He bowled Jack Ikin for 99 and Dick Pollard—who later claimed to have not seen the ball—for a golden duck. The hosts were in danger of suffering a late collapse and defeat, but William Roberts successfully defended the hat-trick ball; Lancashire lost no further wickets and were 7/191 when stumps were drawn; Lindwall ended with 4/27. He also caused Washbrook to miss the final Test with a thumb injury.[105][106] The paceman was rested from the non-first-class match against Durham, which was a rain-affected draw.[10]
Fifth Test
According to Bradman, Fingleton and O'Reilly, Lindwall's performance in the final Test at The Oval was one of the best they had ever seen from any player.[107][108][109] English skipper Yardley won the toss and elected to bat on a rain-affected pitch, surprising most observers.[110] The damp conditions necessitated the addition of large amounts of sawdust to allow the players to keep their grip. Along with the rain, humidity assisted the bowlers, particularly Lindwall, who managed to make the ball bounce at variable heights.[111]
After Miller had taken an early wicket, Lindwall bounced Compton, resulting in an edge towards the slips cordon. However, the ball continued to rise and cleared the ring of Australian fielders. Hutton called Compton through for a run, but his surprised partner was watching the ball and dropped his bat in panic. Luckily for Compton, the ball went to Hassett at
After the lunch break, England struggled to 4/35, before Lindwall bowled Yardley with a swinging
In Australia's reply, Lindwall came in at 6/304 and attacked immediately, scoring two fours before falling for nine. He played a cover drive from the bowling of Young, but hit the ball too early and thus launched it into the air, and it was caught by Edrich at cover point to leave the score at 7/332.[21][113] The visitors ended on 389 and England started their second innings late on the second day. Debutant John Dewes took strike and got off the mark when he aimed a hook shot and was credited with a boundary when the ball came off his shoulder. Lindwall's steepling bouncer had risen over his bat and narrowly missed his head.[114] Lindwall made the early breakthrough soon after, bowling Dewes—who offered no shot[115]—for 10 to leave England at 1/20.[21] Dewes often committed to playing the ball from the front foot before the bowler delivered the ball, thereby putting himself into difficulty.[116]
Early on the third day, Lindwall bowled Edrich—who was playing across the line—for 28, hitting the off stump with a ball that cut inwards to leave England's score at 64,
Later tour matches
Seven matches remained on Bradman's quest to go through a tour of England without defeat.
Australia's biggest challenge in the post-Test tour matches was against the
The tour ended with two non-first-class matches against Scotland. Lindwall was rested from the first, which Australia won by an innings.[10][11] In the second fixture, Lindwall signed off in a low key manner, scoring 15 and taking a total of 0/28 from 14 overs as Australia ended their campaign with another innings triumph.[11]
Role
When fit, Lindwall opened the bowling with Miller in the Tests, and the pair operated in short and fiery bursts with the new ball. English cricket administrators had agreed to make a new ball available every 55 overs in the Tests; at the time, the norm was to allow a new ball for every 200 runs scored, something which usually took longer than 55 overs. The new regulation played directly into the hands of the Australians, as a new ball is ideal for fast bowling and the tourists had a vastly superior pace attack. Bradman thus wanted to preserve his two first-choice pacemen for a vigorous attack on the English batsmen every 55 overs.[123] As a result, Lindwall bowled 224 overs, while Australia's third fast bowler Bill Johnston bowled 306.[124] Lindwall led the Test bowling averages, with 27 wickets at 19.62, making him the equal leading wicket-taker along with Johnston, who averaged 23.33.[124][125] The duo's haul of 27 Test wickets equalled the record for an Australian fast bowler during a tour of England.[1] The Australian pair were substantially ahead the next most successful bowler, England's Alec Bedser, who took 18 wickets at 38.22.[124][125] Lindwall's role as the leading strike bowler is borne out in his economy and strike rate in both the Tests and all first-class matches. He was the least economical of the three pacemen, but took his wickets more frequently than any other frontline bowler.[124][126]
In all first-class matches, he took 86 wickets at 15.68 and held onto 14 catches, fielding in the slips.[127] There were many consecutive matches during the tour with no rest day in between,[10] so Bradman ensured Miller and Lindwall remained fresh for the new ball bursts in the Tests by giving them a lighter workload during the tour matches. During all first-class matches, Johnston bowled 851.1 overs, Johnson 668, Lindwall 573.4, Toshack 502, while Miller bowled only 429.4 overs. Outside the Tests, Lindwall bowled 349.3 overs, only the fifth heaviest workload among the Australians in those matches.[126]
The local batsmen were unable to cope with Lindwalls high pace and swing; 43 of his wickets came after his opponent had missed the ball and been bowled.[1] Lindwall scored 411 runs at 24.17 with two fifties in the first-class matches, including 191 at 31.83 in the Tests.[118] Lindwall had limited batting opportunities, usually playing from No. 7 to No. 9.[11] It was hard for Lindwall to get any higher up the order as Australia's other frontline bowlers, such as Colin McCool, Ian Johnson and Doug Ring, all scored centuries and more than 20 fifties each during their first-class career, and were of similar batting ability.[128] As Australia often won by an innings, and declared in the first innings on many occasions due to their batting strength, Lindwall only had 20 innings in his 22 matches, and usually batted at numbers 7, 8 or 9.N-[1] However, he was often effective when he did get an opportunity.[11][129]
Wisden recognised Lindwall by naming him as one of its five Cricketers of the Year in 1949. The publication cited the paceman's ability to seize the initiative for Australia in all but one of the Tests by taking early wickets. The fast bowler's success was attributed to a "superb control of length and direction, his change of pace and general skill, the like of which in a slower bowler could be classed as cunning".[1] The ferocity of Lindwall's bouncer often prompted opponents to retreat onto the back foot before he had even released the ball.[1] Wisden said that "by whatever standard he is judged ... [Lindwall] must be placed permanently in the gallery of great fast bowlers".[1]
Notes
Statistical note
n-[1] a This statement can be verified by consulting all of the scorecards for the matches, as listed here.[8][11][13][15][17][18][19][20][21][22][24][25][29][79][102][105][119][122][130][131][132][133][134][135][136][137][138][139][140][141][142][143][144][145][146]
General notes
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j "Cricketer of the Year – 1949". ESPNcricinfo. 1949. Retrieved 20 April 2007.
- ^ "Test Bowling for Australia India in Australia 1947/48". CricketArchive. Retrieved 22 December 2008.
- ^ a b c d e f g h Perry (2001), p. 222.
- ^ Fingleton, p. 42.
- ^ Perry (2008), pp. 24, 26.
- ^ Perry (2008), pp. 233–234.
- ^ Fingleton, p. 44.
- ^ a b c "Worcestershire v Australians". CricketArchive. Retrieved 18 December 2008.
- ^ Fingleton, p. 47.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o "Matches, Australia tour of England, Apr–September 1948". ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved 16 July 2008.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t "Player Oracle RR Lindwall 1948". CricketArchive. Retrieved 18 December 2008.
- ^ Fingleton, pp. 53–58.
- ^ a b "Yorkshire v Australians". CricketArchive. Retrieved 18 December 2008.
- ^ Fingleton, p. 59.
- ^ a b "Australians in England, 1948". Wisden Cricketers' Almanack (1949 ed.). Wisden. pp. 219–220.
- ^ Fingleton, p. 61.
- ^ a b c d e f g "1st Test England v Australia at Nottingham June 10–15, 1948". ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved 12 December 2007.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m "2nd Test England v Australia at Lord's June 24–29, 1948". ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved 12 December 2007.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i "3rd Test England v Australia at Manchester July 8–13, 1948". ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved 12 December 2007.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l "4th Test England v Australia at Leeds July 22–27, 1948". ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved 12 December 2007.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i "5th Test England v Australia at The Oval August 14–18, 1948". ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved 12 December 2007.
- ^ a b c d e "MCC v Australians". CricketArchive. Retrieved 18 December 2008.
- ^ Fingleton, p. 73.
- ^ a b c "Lancashire v Australians". CricketArchive. Retrieved 18 December 2008.
- ^ a b c "Nottinghamshire v Australians". CricketArchive. Retrieved 18 December 2008.
- ^ Fingleton, p. 77.
- ^ Perry (2001), p. 211.
- ^ Perry (2008), p. 93.
- ^ a b c d "Sussex v Australians". CricketArchive. Retrieved 18 December 2008.
- ^ a b Pollard, p. 9.
- ^ Fingleton, p. 79.
- ^ a b Arlott, p. 30.
- ^ a b c "First Test Match England v Australia". Wisden Cricketers' Almanack. Wisden. 1949. Retrieved 2 July 2008.
- ^ Fingleton, p. 84.
- ^ "Statsguru – RR Lindwall – Tests – Innings by innings list". ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved 10 December 2007.
- ^ a b c O'Reilly, p. 42.
- ^ a b Fingleton, p. 96.
- ^ Arlott, p. 41.
- ^ Fingleton, pp. 97, 100–106.
- ^ a b c d e f Perry (2001), p. 223.
- ^ O'Reilly, p. 67.
- ^ a b O'Reilly, p. 69.
- ^ a b c Fingleton, p. 111.
- ^ a b c d O'Reilly, p. 70.
- ^ a b c O'Reilly, p. 71.
- ^ a b c d "Second Test Match England v Australia". Wisden Cricketers' Almanack. Wisden. 1949. Retrieved 2 July 2008.
- ^ Fingleton, p. 112.
- ^ a b O'Reilly, p. 72.
- ^ Arlott, p. 63.
- ^ O'Reilly, p. 76.
- ^ a b Fingleton, p. 121.
- ^ a b c O'Reilly, p. 77.
- ^ Arlott, p. 70.
- ^ O'Reilly, p. 79.
- ^ Arlott, p. 75.
- ^ "Australians in England, 1948". Wisden Cricketers' Almanack (1949 ed.). Wisden. pp. 238–239.
- ^ a b c d e Perry (2001), p. 224.
- ISBN 0-304-29779-8.
- ^ Bowes, p. 190.
- ^ Fingleton, p. 131.
- ^ a b c O'Reilly, p. 88.
- ^ a b O'Reilly, p. 89.
- ^ a b Fingleton, p. 132.
- ^ a b c d "Third Test Match England v Australia". Wisden Cricketers' Almanack. Wisden. 1949. Retrieved 2 July 2008.
- ^ Pollard, p. 12.
- ^ O'Reilly, p. 90.
- ^ O'Reilly, p. 91.
- ^ O'Reilly, p. 92.
- ^ Fingleton, p. 135.
- ^ Fingleton, p. 141.
- ^ Perry (2005), p. 243.
- ^ Perry (2005), p. 244.
- ^ Fingleton, p. 143.
- ^ Fingleton, pp. 141–142.
- ^ a b Fingleton, p. 142.
- ^ Fingleton, p. 144.
- ^ Perry (2008), pp. 176–177.
- ^ Perry (2008), pp. 177–179.
- ^ a b "Middlesex v Australians". CricketArchive. Retrieved 18 December 2008.
- ^ Perry (2008), pp. 179–180.
- ^ Arlott, p. 99.
- ^ Fingleton, p. 153.
- ^ a b c "Fourth Test Match England v Australia". Wisden Cricketers' Almanack. Wisden. 1949. Retrieved 2 July 2008.
- ^ Fingleton, p. 154.
- ^ O’Reilly, p. 114.
- ^ Fingleton, p. 157.
- ^ a b Fingleton, p. 158.
- ^ O’Reilly, p. 121.
- ^ a b O’Reilly, p. 117.
- ^ O’Reilly, p. 118.
- ^ Pollard, p. 14.
- ^ O’Reilly, p. 132.
- ^ Fingleton, p. 167.
- ^ a b O’Reilly, p. 128.
- ^ O’Reilly, p. 131.
- ^ O'Reilly, pp. 131–132.
- ^ a b Fingleton, p. 168.
- ^ a b O'Reilly, p. 134.
- ^ Fingleton, p. 171.
- ^ O’Reilly, p. 135.
- ^ Arlott, p. 114.
- ^ a b c "Warwickshire v Australians". CricketArchive. Retrieved 18 December 2008.
- ^ Perry (2008), p. 215.
- ^ Perry (2008), pp. 217–218.
- ^ a b "Lancashire v Australians". CricketArchive. Retrieved 18 December 2008.
- ^ Perry (2008), pp. 218–220.
- ^ a b c d e Perry (2001), p. 225.
- ^ a b c d Fingleton, p. 186.
- ^ a b O'Reilly, p. 150.
- ^ Fingleton, pp. 180–184.
- ^ a b c d e "Fifth Test Match England v Australia". Wisden Cricketers' Almanack. Wisden. 1949. Retrieved 2 July 2008.
- ^ a b c Fingleton, p. 185.
- ^ Arlott, p. 130.
- ^ O'Reilly, p. 154.
- ^ Fingleton, p. 188.
- ^ Fingleton, p. 199.
- ^ a b c Fingleton, p. 189.
- ^ a b Perry (2001), p. 226.
- ^ a b "Kent v Australians". CricketArchive. Retrieved 18 December 2008.
- ^ Perry (2008), p. 249.
- ^ Perry (2005), pp. 253–254.
- ^ a b "H.D.G. Leveson-Gower's XI v Australians". CricketArchive. Retrieved 18 December 2008.
- ^ Perry (2005), pp. 222–223.
- ^ a b c d "Batting and bowling averages The Ashes, 1948 – Australia". ESPNcricinfo. Archived from the original on 5 December 2012. Retrieved 10 December 2008.
- ^ a b "Batting and bowling averages The Ashes, 1948 – England". ESPNcricinfo. Archived from the original on 15 July 2012. Retrieved 10 December 2008.
- ^ a b "Batting and bowling averages Australia tour of England, Apr–September 1948 – First-class matches". ESPNcricinfo. Archived from the original on 18 July 2012. Retrieved 10 December 2008.
- ^ Perry (2005), p. 256.
- ^ Cashman et al., pp. 152, 175, 199, 258.
- ^ Cashman et al., p. 175.
- ^ "Leicestershire v Australians". CricketArchive. Retrieved 18 December 2008.
- ^ "Cambridge University v Australians". CricketArchive. Retrieved 18 December 2008.
- ^ "Essex v Australians". CricketArchive. Retrieved 26 December 2007.
- ^ "Oxford University v Australians". CricketArchive. Retrieved 18 December 2008.
- ^ "Hampshire v Australians". CricketArchive. Retrieved 18 December 2008.
- ^ "Northamptonshire v Australians". CricketArchive. Retrieved 18 December 2008.
- ^ "Yorkshire v Australians". CricketArchive. Retrieved 18 December 2008.
- ^ "Surrey v Australians". CricketArchive. Retrieved 18 December 2008.
- ^ "Gloucestershire v Australians". CricketArchive. Retrieved 26 December 2007.
- ^ "Derbyshire v Australians". CricketArchive. Retrieved 18 December 2008.
- ^ "Glamorgan v Australians". CricketArchive. Retrieved 18 December 2008.
- ^ "Durham v Australians". CricketArchive. Retrieved 18 December 2008.
- ^ "Gentlemen v Australians". CricketArchive. Retrieved 26 December 2007.
- ^ "South of England v Australians". CricketArchive. Retrieved 18 December 2008.
- ^ "Somerset v Australians". CricketArchive. Retrieved 18 December 2008.
- ^ "Scotland v Australians". CricketArchive. Retrieved 18 December 2008.
- ^ "Scotland v Australians". CricketArchive. Retrieved 18 December 2008.
References
- Arlott, John (1949). Gone to the test match: being primarily an account of the test series of 1948. London: Longmans.
- Cashman, Richard; Franks, Warwick; ISBN 0-9756746-1-7.
- Fingleton, Jack (1949). Brightly fades the Don. London: Collins.
- O'Reilly, W. J. (1949). Cricket conquest: the story of the 1948 test tour. London: Werner Laurie.
- ISBN 0-09-184051-1.
- Perry, Roland (2005). Miller's Luck: the life and loves of Keith Miller, Australia's greatest all-rounder. Milsons Point, New South Wales: Random House. ISBN 978-1-74166-222-1.
- ISBN 978-0-7336-2279-3.
- ISBN 0-207-16124-0.