JOHNY WARDLE
Johnny Wardle (8 January 1923 – 23 July 1985)was an English spin bowler of
post-war cricket. His Test bowling average of 20.39 is the lowest in Test cricket by any recognised spin bowler, since the
First World War.
Wardle, though mainly a classical orthodox left-arm finger-spinner, was probably the most versatile of all the great spin bowlers, and he was capable both of originality and accuracy. His ability to bowl left-arm wrist spinners that turned and bounced much more sharply, made him preferred over Tony Lock in his heyday.
Wardle is the only English bowler to master this unusual style, and it gave him many of his greatest successes, notably in
South Africa in 1956/1957, where he achieved the feat of taking 100 wickets in a season outside
England. He was able, when circumstances allowed, to bowl the Chinaman and did so at the highest level
Wardle was also a dangerous left-handed hitter, whose stocky build permitted him to drive powerfully.
Tests : 28
Innings:56
Runs Scored :653
Batting AVG:19.78
50s: 2
100s:none
Balls Bowled:6597
Wickets:102
Bowling AVG:20.39
5wickets in innings: 5
10 Fer in match:1
Best Bowling:7/36
High Score:66
FC Matches :412
FC Innings: 824
Runs Scored:7333
Bat AVG:16.08
50s:18
100s:none
High Score :79
Balls Bowled:109,626
Wickets:1846
Bowling AVG:18.97
5fer in innings: 134
10fer in match:29
Best Bowling : 9/25