'The best ever captain after Don Bradman'
Our readers weigh in on Frank Tyson, Frank Worrell, the importance of captaincy in cricket, and more
ESPNcricinfo staff
02-Oct-2015
'Good captaincy is like the bass player in a band, most of the time when he's doing his job one doesn't notice, but when it's not there it's obvious something is missing' • PA Photos
By: Biggus
Good captaincy is like the bass player in a band, most of the time when he's doing his job one doesn't notice, but when it's not there it's obvious something is missing. Whatever the author claims, it does matter, and is akin to what would be called a 'force multiplier' in military matters.
Good captaincy is like the bass player in a band, most of the time when he's doing his job one doesn't notice, but when it's not there it's obvious something is missing. Whatever the author claims, it does matter, and is akin to what would be called a 'force multiplier' in military matters.
By: mamboman
Had the pleasure of meeting Mr Tyson on a number of occasions and I always found him to be that rarest of things, a genuine gentleman. He had his opinions, but he also had convictions behind them and the wherewithal to argue them charmingly and persuasively. So very different from today's entitled twitterati cricketers.
Had the pleasure of meeting Mr Tyson on a number of occasions and I always found him to be that rarest of things, a genuine gentleman. He had his opinions, but he also had convictions behind them and the wherewithal to argue them charmingly and persuasively. So very different from today's entitled twitterati cricketers.
By: landl47
He had a short but very productive career. Almost 1/3rd of his tests were in that one series. That was a little early for me (I was 7 at the time), but I do remember him from a little later on. He bowled off a relatively short run and got his pace from a big pivot and a very fast arm. The photo attached to this article shows how he bent his back to get in position to deliver his thunderbolts. No wonder he didn't stay long at the top - the strain must have been enormous. From all I have heard, he was a cultivated and pleasant man. He lived a long life and will always be remembered for his feats on that 1954/55 tour. If he was cricket's equivalent of a one-hit wonder, at least it was a #1 hit!
He had a short but very productive career. Almost 1/3rd of his tests were in that one series. That was a little early for me (I was 7 at the time), but I do remember him from a little later on. He bowled off a relatively short run and got his pace from a big pivot and a very fast arm. The photo attached to this article shows how he bent his back to get in position to deliver his thunderbolts. No wonder he didn't stay long at the top - the strain must have been enormous. From all I have heard, he was a cultivated and pleasant man. He lived a long life and will always be remembered for his feats on that 1954/55 tour. If he was cricket's equivalent of a one-hit wonder, at least it was a #1 hit!
By: WindiesWatcher84
Fantastic video of Mike Brearley talking about Frank Worrell. I have a miniature Gray Nicolls bat with Frank Worrell, Everton Weekes and Clyde Walcott on it with career statistics and signatures. My favourite piece of West Indies cricket history that I own.
Fantastic video of Mike Brearley talking about Frank Worrell. I have a miniature Gray Nicolls bat with Frank Worrell, Everton Weekes and Clyde Walcott on it with career statistics and signatures. My favourite piece of West Indies cricket history that I own.
By: harshthakor
To me, the best ever captain after Don Bradman. Worrel blended the tactical genius and motivating ability of a military commander with the feline grace of a musical conductor like no other cricketer. Also the ultimate gentleman of the game who graced the cricket field as gently as a violinist strutting his strings. Few cricketers ever upheld the spirit of the game as much as Worrell. His leadership gave a new dimension to West Indian cricket. Worrel above all led by example being one of the best batsman of all time with his batting posessing grace of the divine. Worrel is an example to the world of cricket today where qualities of sportsmanship have been lost and the game has ceased to be a gentleman's one. The 1963 team he led in England may have been the best ever West Indian team of all with the likes of Kanhai,Butcher,Hall,Nurse,Hunte etc. Played an invaluable role in creating Test cricket's ultimate contest in 1960-61 down under, arguably the best victory for the game's spirit ever.
To me, the best ever captain after Don Bradman. Worrel blended the tactical genius and motivating ability of a military commander with the feline grace of a musical conductor like no other cricketer. Also the ultimate gentleman of the game who graced the cricket field as gently as a violinist strutting his strings. Few cricketers ever upheld the spirit of the game as much as Worrell. His leadership gave a new dimension to West Indian cricket. Worrel above all led by example being one of the best batsman of all time with his batting posessing grace of the divine. Worrel is an example to the world of cricket today where qualities of sportsmanship have been lost and the game has ceased to be a gentleman's one. The 1963 team he led in England may have been the best ever West Indian team of all with the likes of Kanhai,Butcher,Hall,Nurse,Hunte etc. Played an invaluable role in creating Test cricket's ultimate contest in 1960-61 down under, arguably the best victory for the game's spirit ever.
By: Bob Blasdall
Mr Tyson or so I called him when as a 9 year old I asked for his autograph outside Lennon's Hotel in Brisbane in 1954. I vividly remember his smile as he patted me on the head and signed my autograph book which sadly has been lost in my many moves.. I went to the Test at the Gabba but don't have many memories of that event. Mr Tyson was a wonderful fast bowler, cricket commentator, cricket author: I have several of his books including his anthology on the West Indies Australian tour in 1976/77 entitled "The Hapless Hookers." Little did Frank know then that quartets of West Indian fast bowlers were to emulate his feats and blast out batsmen with sheer pace and intimidation. RIP Mr. Tyson. You strode the earth for a short time as an express pace bowling colossus, a true legend of the great game. But more importantly for a much longer time you were the epitome of grace, good manners and humble humanity. Bless you and thank you for the memories....
Mr Tyson or so I called him when as a 9 year old I asked for his autograph outside Lennon's Hotel in Brisbane in 1954. I vividly remember his smile as he patted me on the head and signed my autograph book which sadly has been lost in my many moves.. I went to the Test at the Gabba but don't have many memories of that event. Mr Tyson was a wonderful fast bowler, cricket commentator, cricket author: I have several of his books including his anthology on the West Indies Australian tour in 1976/77 entitled "The Hapless Hookers." Little did Frank know then that quartets of West Indian fast bowlers were to emulate his feats and blast out batsmen with sheer pace and intimidation. RIP Mr. Tyson. You strode the earth for a short time as an express pace bowling colossus, a true legend of the great game. But more importantly for a much longer time you were the epitome of grace, good manners and humble humanity. Bless you and thank you for the memories....
By: Ashok Bambi
Although I never saw Frank Tyson in real bowling action but when I grew up his bouncers and quick deliveries were point of discussion amongst the local cricketers.He was short statured but very quick and used to terrorise the best of batsmen of the world during his peak time.I had the privilege of meeting him during the level two coaches course at Bangalore.We were there for 15 days and during that time he became very friendly with all the trainees.He was a very simple and joyful person with no air. He was equally good while teaching us the finer points of the game.He tried to learn few words of Hindi during the classes and used to speak in a funny manner.His most common word was "chalo chai piye" (let's drink tea) during the break. Frank we will never forget you.RIP
Although I never saw Frank Tyson in real bowling action but when I grew up his bouncers and quick deliveries were point of discussion amongst the local cricketers.He was short statured but very quick and used to terrorise the best of batsmen of the world during his peak time.I had the privilege of meeting him during the level two coaches course at Bangalore.We were there for 15 days and during that time he became very friendly with all the trainees.He was a very simple and joyful person with no air. He was equally good while teaching us the finer points of the game.He tried to learn few words of Hindi during the classes and used to speak in a funny manner.His most common word was "chalo chai piye" (let's drink tea) during the break. Frank we will never forget you.RIP
By: Mani Subbu
Being actively involved in Delhi cricket at the grass root level i.e. running an affiliated club of the DDCA, I agree there are problems in the DDCA, but if an effort was made by the Chairman of the Selection Committee, Shri Vinay Lamba a very respected cricketer of the past whose concern it is that Delhi does well despite all the problems,I guess he should have been informed by the bowler of his plan. On the one side we are crying that the standard of domestic cricket is not good because of the lack of participation of the international players and on the other we are supporting a player who is not inclined to play for his State which has initially projected him. I would like to know whether international players would like to take rest if the payments for Ranji Trophy are as high as for IPL or for even one day internationals and test matches, where the players never complain of burnout.
Being actively involved in Delhi cricket at the grass root level i.e. running an affiliated club of the DDCA, I agree there are problems in the DDCA, but if an effort was made by the Chairman of the Selection Committee, Shri Vinay Lamba a very respected cricketer of the past whose concern it is that Delhi does well despite all the problems,I guess he should have been informed by the bowler of his plan. On the one side we are crying that the standard of domestic cricket is not good because of the lack of participation of the international players and on the other we are supporting a player who is not inclined to play for his State which has initially projected him. I would like to know whether international players would like to take rest if the payments for Ranji Trophy are as high as for IPL or for even one day internationals and test matches, where the players never complain of burnout.
By: Tribin Roy
I am one of those million kids from India who played the game with a lot of passion growing up knowing the fact I never had the talent to really make it anywhere. From my 8th grade till 12th grade, we used to play regularly in the defence 'maidans' every evening.. Most of the days, we had a batch of senior boys already playing at the centre pitch and we had to wait around for them to finish their match to start ours.. Waiting around was fun because we got to watch this pacer from their group named Siyad, who used to start his run up from almost the boundary line of a fairly large ground with a shuffle and hop and then charge in bare footed to deliver thunderbolts aimed at the batsman's head, cup or toes.. He was three to four years elder to me and we used to admire him with the complete knowledge that he wouldn't be playing with us any time soon.. And then came the day when we got to the ground to see the senior team also waiting around because their opponents didn't turn up.
I am one of those million kids from India who played the game with a lot of passion growing up knowing the fact I never had the talent to really make it anywhere. From my 8th grade till 12th grade, we used to play regularly in the defence 'maidans' every evening.. Most of the days, we had a batch of senior boys already playing at the centre pitch and we had to wait around for them to finish their match to start ours.. Waiting around was fun because we got to watch this pacer from their group named Siyad, who used to start his run up from almost the boundary line of a fairly large ground with a shuffle and hop and then charge in bare footed to deliver thunderbolts aimed at the batsman's head, cup or toes.. He was three to four years elder to me and we used to admire him with the complete knowledge that he wouldn't be playing with us any time soon.. And then came the day when we got to the ground to see the senior team also waiting around because their opponents didn't turn up.
They called us for a match that had our red tennis ball and 50Rs at stake. They won the toss and chose to bat in a 15 over game. We were quite decent on the field mainly because of the size of the ground and our opponents complacency.. We were set a target of 110 in 15 and we even thought we had a chance at it. We knew Siyad was there but heck, 3 overs from him for nothing would still have given us a shot at the score. I was always someone who could hold one end without scoring anything and took up on myself to open against him. With great fear I took stance.
The most horrible thing was the wait for him to reach the point of delivery. Fear and anxiety just kept growing & by the time he reached the crease, I pulled out! He aborted with a chuckle and went back to take a run up that was a yard more than the previous one. This time I managed to stay & vaguely remember a red dot coming right at my eyes before feeling the thump on my temple. All my resolve came crashing down..
- Compiled by Delisa D'Souza and Srikanth Ravishanker