'There is a pace to bowl for every pitch'

You had an unusually long run-up and were above average pace for a spinner. How did that style evolve?

Well, it started really when I was at school and, as all youngsters do, I wanted to be a fast bowler.

I suppose when it came to the transition between youth cricket and adult cricket I was no longer quick anymore

and one had to adapt to a different set of circumstances.

Did you try and cut the run-up down?

I didn't, really, no. The rhythm in the approach to the wicket is very, very important, even for a spinner.

You need that rhythm, and I stuck to my guns. A lot of people in my early days were very keen for me to bowl slower.

Was there a rule of thumb about the pace you bowled: i.e. sticky dog, push it through; quick pitch, take pace off it ?


Depends. I suppose that the quicker one can bowl at and make the ball turn, the more dangerous you're going to be.

But it depends. On a lot of wet wickets, if it was very wet, then the pitch didn't do anything. The ball would skid on.

Whereas if, for instance, there was a bit of direct heat on the wicket or it was just beginning to dry out then obviously

there was a greater response and the ball turned more.

1972 :
                             

"I had a captain in Colin Cowdrey who was very strict with me.

He wanted me to bowl maidens.

On a good wicket, if you can hold a player, eventually he'll make the mistake"

Cricket has changed dramatically re : Maiden overs to Spinners !