Sydney Barnes vs Bill O’Reilly

[Johan]

Martindale?

In league cricket? Wasn't he by then only bowling spin?

I don't rate players pre WWI. Many here don't, I don't get why that's a big deal.

Just took much variables and unknowns.

Constantine (who was better than Martindale)

I think he was bowling medium pace, it was him turning 80 when he was primarily bowling spin in exhibition games here and there, even at 60 he was very much bowling on par with one of the best in the world of 30s

 

[peterhrt]

As a consolation, if @peterhrt can share the pics, if he can find them, of the depth of the keeper and slip cordon to Barnes, that would be great.

I'll try to search as well.

There are several photos of Barnes bowling during the 1911-12 series in David Frith's Pictorial History of England v Australia. One shows Trumper being caught by Woolley at second slip in Sydney. Two at Melbourne have Hill caught at long-on and, most striking, Minnett cutting Barnes for four with the slips even further back.

In all cases, wicket-keeper Tiger Smith is standing up to the stumps, as Evans did to Bedser. Smith is shown standing back to Frank Foster but the slips appear to be as close if not closer than for Barnes.

 

[kyear2]

There are several photos of Barnes bowling during the 1911-12 series in David Frith's Pictorial History of England v Australia. One shows Trumper being caught by Woolley at second slip in Sydney. Two at Melbourne have Hill caught at long-on and, most striking, Minnett cutting Barnes for four with the slips even further back.

In all cases, wicket-keeper Tiger Smith is standing up to the stumps, as Evans did to Bedser. Smith is shown standing back to Frank Foster but the slips appear to be as close if not closer than for Barnes.

So about medium.