Ray Lindwall

Ray Lindwall and Keith Miller formed the new ball bowling pair during the great era of ‘The Invincibles’. In fact, Lindwall was one of the reasons, why Australia could run through sides, his 228 Test wickets going for just 23 a scalp.

Lindwall grew as a cricketer under the close auspices of Bill O’Reilly, who became his mentor. By 1946 he was picked up for the series against New Zealand and then became a part of ‘The Invincibles’ in 1948. His forte was his accuracy and late swing, something that he used to outwit the batsman even late in the day. He was regarded by many of the experts like Richie Benaud as the best fast bowlers they had ever seen. As a part of a youth policy by the Aussie selectors, he was dropped in 1957, but made a comeback to the team, at 38. Pakistan was Lindwall’s only Achilles Heel and his averaged more than 40 against them with the ball. Lindwall was never made a regular captain, though as a vice captain, he had the opportunity of leading the Aussie side once, when the original captain, Ian Johnson got injured.

Lindwall remained attached with Aussie cricket after retirement, first coaching and guiding Dennis Lillee, and then becoming the National Cricket Selector. He also wrote two books, ‘The Flying Stumps’ and ‘The Challenging Tests’. Lindwall expired in 1996, at the age of 74.