It was dreadfully sad to hear the news about the death of Trevor Bailey yesterday especially because of the tragic circumstances involved.
The dulcet tones of Bailey was part of our childhood as he was an essential part of the Test Match Special team that soundtracked our summer holidays, as well as winters with the transistor under the duvet.
As a commentator, Bailey was erudite, thoughtful and amusing, and his obvious charisma and wit shone through as part of what were probably the halcyon days in Test Match Special’s long and memorable history.
We never saw Bailey play. But we have read enough to know that he was an obdurate batsman, brilliant fielder and dangerous fast-medium bowler. He did the double of 1,000 runs and 100 wickets in a season eight times, which ably demonstrates the depth of talent he had at his disposal.
His best remembered feats on the cricket field were born out of his sheer stubbornness. In 1953, with England attempting to regain the Ashes for the first time in 19 years, Bailey was one of the stars. At Lord's he saved the match by staying at the crease for four-and-a-half hours in a never-to-be-forgotten partnership with Willie Watson, then at Headingley he put the brakes on Australia’s victory charge by bowling negative leg theory.
He bowed out of international cricket after the 1958-59 Ashes. England were thrashed, but Bailey still managed to make a mark with first-class cricket’s slowest ever fifty - achieved at a snail’s like pace of 357 minutes.
All in all, a huge loss. Rest in peace, Trevor. Take your place on the cricket pitch in the Elysian Fields and grind the Heavenly Australian XI into the dust.
Where next?
The 25 Greatest Ashes Tests - Part 1/3
The 25 Greatest Ashes Tests - Part 2/3
The 25 Greatest Ashes Tests - Part 3/3
An XI of cricketers that died young
Check out all our Reverse Sweep heroes and zeroes featuring amongst others Arthur Carr, Hedley Verity, Douglas Jardine, Bob Willis, Test Match Sofa and the Channel 9 Commentary Team
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Posted by: hotsell | Wednesday, November 30, 2011 at 10:12