Post by Salem6 on Jul 1, 2006 13:30:26 GMT
Legendary former England and Yorkshire fast bowler Fred Trueman has died aged 75 after a battle with lung cancer.
Trueman earned the nickname Fiery Fred because of his fast bowling
Trueman was the first man to claim 300 wickets in Test cricket and finished with 307 from only 67 matches.
He made his Yorkshire debut in 1949 and had more than 2,000 first-class wickets to his name when he retired in 1969.
Trueman was famed for his partnership for England with Lancashire's Brian Statham and was Yorkshire's spearhead during their dominance in the 1960s.
A quick-witted and natural raconteur, he also worked as an expert analyst on the BBC's Test Match Special for 26 years until 2000.
Born in Stainton, Yorkshire, Frederick Sewards Trueman made an instant impact on his Test debut at the age of 21 in June 1952 against India at Headingley.
He took seven wickets in the match, and later in the series recorded the then best Test figures by any fast bowler of 8-31 at Old Trafford.
'Fiery Fred' as he came to be known, Trueman had a classical side-on action which helped generate fearsome pace.
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The best fast bowler that ever drew breath - RIP FST
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The 300-wicket milestone was reached at The Oval in August 1964, when Australian Neil Hawke edged to Colin Cowdrey at slip.
He briefly returned to action for Derbyshire in 1972 to play limited-overs cricket but it is his exploits with England and Yorkshire for which Truman will be remembered.
Such was the esteem in which he was held, news of his death cast a shadow over proceedings at the scene of many of his finest hours.
Flags at his home ground Headingley, where England were playing Sri Lanka in the fifth one-day international, were lowered to half-mast and a tribute was planned for the interval between innings.
news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/cricket/5136580.stm