THE BALL PUPPETEERS… Sydney Francis Barnes

Cricket history has seen iconic men who, with their capabilities, completely revolutionized the art of bowling and the game of cricket. Like in Marvel’s Avengers, these men hail from various corners of the world and were bound to a higher calling. They grew up to eventually become legends. 

What took them to these heights?

They had exceptional love, passion and dedication towards the game. These individuals often single-handedly decided the fate of the match and in course accomplished remarkable feats. Their rise to fame was fueled by hard work, dedication and invincible faith in their abilities.

Ball Puppeteers:

Eminent bowlers always demonstrated the ability to ruffle a set batsman with accuracy, consistency and bowling variations. While the ability to swing the ball both ways and art of reverse swing with the old ball served as a career defining strength for the pace bowlers, sharp turn, skid and deception in flight of the delivery are the trademarks of legendary spinners. They are the Ball Puppeteers.

SYDNEY FRANCIS BARNES

Regarded as one of the greatest bowler in sports history, England's Sydney Francis Barnes made his test debut against Australia in 1901. Barnes bowling is remembered for its effective combination of bounce and swing with the new ball. His international career of 27 test matches featuring South Africa and Australia-the only countries he ever played against would raise many eyebrows but, a look at his accomplishments would leave everyone in awe. Barnes amassed 189 wickets at an average of 16.43. 

If you think that’s flattering, here is more. His staggering performance for Staffordshire in Minor Counties Cricket Championship will leave you drooling. A whopping 1,432 wickets at an average of less than 9 is a testimony of his astonishing career that ended at the age of 61.

The cynosure of his career are his herculean efforts from 1911-1914. In 1911-1912, Barnes enabled England to win The Ashes, as he took 34 wickets in the series against Australia .In the next two years, playing his final test series, Barnes took 7 five-wicket haul and 3 ten-wicket haul to plunder 49 wickets in  4 matches against South Africa, a world record. His accomplishments earned him the No.1 spot in ICC best-Ever Test Championship rating for bowlers.

Undoubtedly, he is the greatest of the game and deservedly honoured by ICC.