PlayerComparisons
International Captain
Two ATG slow bowlers
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Sydney Barnes vs Bill O’Reilly
- Thread starter PlayerComparisons
- Start date
HouHsiaoHsien
International Debutant
Barnes probably, based on reputation
BoyBrumby
Englishman
Bradman was of the opinion that Tiger was the greater bowler because he bowled every delivery Barnes did, plus he had a wrong 'un, which SFB did not.
There's a possibly apocryphal story I really hope is true as it fits my mental image of him perfectly, that, when told of Sir Donald's opinion, Barnes replied,
"It's quite true, I never bowled the 'googly'...I never needed it."
There's a possibly apocryphal story I really hope is true as it fits my mental image of him perfectly, that, when told of Sir Donald's opinion, Barnes replied,
"It's quite true, I never bowled the 'googly'...I never needed it."
sayon basak
Cricketer Of The Year
Barnes bowled both leg cutter and off cutter. He also bowled inswingers and outswingers. Heard that he could bowl a delivery which would swing away from the batter and then cut into the batsman and vice versa. So he could move the ball in both ways both in the air and of the pitch. So he really didn't need the googly.
shortpitched713
International Captain
Barnes' style is extinct, wheras O'Reilly was a progenitor of one of the most important spin styles to this day. Enough said.
Red_Ink_Squid
Global Moderator
...so you're saying that Barnes was inimitable?
Coronis
Hall of Fame Member
Seriously?
shortpitched713
International Captain
Yes, he was a Model T Ford to O'Reilly's jet airplane.
shortpitched713
International Captain
I don't mean he literally invented wrist spin, just that he ( and Grimmett ) really demonstrated it's use and versatility as an all conditions bowling style, in a way that I can't recall any before them did. There's probably a better word than "progenitor" for that, so my b on that.
capt_Luffy
International Coach
Bert Vogler
shortpitched713
International Captain
IMHO, not really as impressive, but certainly more of a pioneer.
capt_Luffy
International Coach
I mean, he definitely wasn't as good as O'Reilly; but fits the pioneer role much better; and also the whole "Googly mystery" thingy.
Fuller Pilch
Hall of Fame Member
Bosanquet's obituary in The Times said: "No man probably in his time has had so important and lasting influence on the game of cricket".
Johan
Cricketer Of The Year
Yeah that line wins it for me
Thala_0710
International 12th Man
Is it? From what I've read about Barnes, he seems to me to be quite similar to a Mustafizur type of bowler, although others can correct me if I'm completely wrong.
Coronis
Hall of Fame Member
Interesting analysis on his bowling style, complete with grip photographs.
Obviously we can never actually know the speed he was bowling at and whether it was regularly 70mph (112.65kmh). I feel its relatively safe to say he would regularly bowl at least 100+. O’Reilly in a similar mold likely.
Obviously we can never actually know the speed he was bowling at and whether it was regularly 70mph (112.65kmh). I feel its relatively safe to say he would regularly bowl at least 100+. O’Reilly in a similar mold likely.
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Johan
Cricketer Of The Year
It really isn't, in 50s you had Bedser/Fazal and then in 2000s I think Vern was quite similar to him but quicker, I reckon Barnes was 110s and Vern 120s
Thala_0710
International 12th Man
Reading about his cutters and delivery types, he seemed more similar to the Fizz for me