Fred Trueman – The first cricketer to take 300 Test wickets

Fred Trueman – the former English legend was born on 6 Feb 1931. He was the best fast bowler of his time in the world, and probably the best in England. On his first-class debut against India, he took three wickets in just 8 balls without giving up a run. Later, he also took 8/31 against the Indian team in Manchester. He played 67 tests and took 307 wickets at 21.57. Fred Trueman played 603 FC games and took 2304 wickets at 18.29.

Fred Trueman is one of the most celebrated fast bowlers in the history of cricket. He played for England from 1948 to 1965, taking 307 wickets in 67 Test matches. He was known for his fiery pace, accuracy and swing, as well as his charismatic personality and sense of humour. He was nicknamed “Fiery Fred” by the fans and the media.

Trueman showcased his exceptional fielding skills, particularly at leg slip, and proved to be a valuable batsman in the late order, even securing three first-class centuries. Acknowledging his cricketing prowess, he received his Yorkshire county cap in 1951. The following year, his outstanding performances earned him the title of “Young Cricketer of the Year” as recognized by the Cricket Writers’ Club. His contributions in the 1952 season were further celebrated when he was named one of the Wisden Cricketers of the Year in the 1953 edition of Wisden Cricketers’ Almanack.

His remarkable talent and public acclaim led British Prime Minister Harold Wilson, hailing from Yorkshire himself, to playfully dub him the “greatest living Yorkshireman.” Despite such recognition, Trueman found himself excluded from several England teams due to frequent conflicts with the cricket establishment. He openly criticized what he perceived as “snobbishness” and hypocrisy within the cricketing world.

Post his playing career, Trueman transitioned into a media personality, making significant contributions on television and becoming an outspoken radio commentator for the BBC, notably on Test Match Special. His unwavering dedication to cricket earned him the OBE in the 1989 Birthday Honours. In 2009, Trueman received the prestigious induction into the ICC Cricket Hall of Fame.

In his own words, Fred Trueman “didn’t play cricket for social reasons like some of the fancy amateurs”. It was his living and he “played to win.” Here we will take a look at some of his remarkable achievements and statistics, as well as some of the anecdotes and stories that made him a legend of the game. We will also explore his life after cricket, where he became a popular commentator and broadcaster.

Some of Fred Trueman’s stats

• He is the first bowler to take 300 wickets in Test cricket, and the fourth-highest wicket-taker for England.
• He has the best bowling average (21.57) among all fast bowlers who have taken more than 200 wickets in Test cricket.
• He has the most five-wicket hauls (17) and ten-wicket hauls (3) for England in Test cricket.
• He has the best bowling figures for England in a Test innings (8/31) and a Test match (12/119) against India in 1952.
• He has the most wickets (35) in an Ashes series for England, which he achieved in 1961-62.
• He is the only bowler to take four wickets in four balls twice in first-class cricket, once for Yorkshire and once for England.

Fred Trueman was not only a great bowler, but also a great entertainer. He had a witty and sharp tongue, and often engaged in banter with the batsmen, umpires and spectators. He was also known for his trademark gestures, such as pointing his finger at the batsman after dismissing him, or throwing his cap on the ground in frustration.

Famous Fred Trueman stories

• Once, he bowled a bouncer that hit the Australian batsman Neil Harvey on the head. As Harvey fell to the ground, Truman asked him: “Don’t you like ’em up there, then?”
• Another time, he was bowling to the West Indian batsman Rohan Kanhai, who kept playing and missing. Truman said to him: “Hey man, how come you’re here? There’s no oil on this pitch.”
• On one occasion, he was unhappy with the umpire’s decision to give a batsman not out. He walked up to the umpire and said: “How much are they paying you?”
• Once, he was fielding at fine leg, when a spectator shouted: “Hey Fred, give us a wave.” Truman waved back, and then said: “Now bugger off.”
• After he retired from cricket, he became a commentator for BBC Radio. During a match between England and Australia, he said: “The batsman’s Holding, the bowler’s Willey.” This caused a lot of laughter among the listeners.

Fred Trueman was a true legend of cricket, who left an indelible mark on the game with his skill, passion and personality. He died in 2006 at the age of 75, but his legacy lives on in the hearts and minds of cricket fans around the world.