We extend our 30-day countdown to the first Ashes Test through Fred Spofforth, the demonic 19th centenary Australia paceman who was a prototype for future quicks.
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At the end of play, an elated Spofforth was said to have repeated the words, "Ain’t I a demon, ain’t I a devil?" while strutting in a circle the dressing room. The Demon Bowler was born.”
Frederick Robert Spofforth did not like batsmen.
In an age when cricket was in its infancy and quiescent a hobby sport for gentlemen, Spofforth played with a ruthless, confrontational manner that was some way ahead of its time. In many ways, he was the first fast bowler; a bristling, snarling, template for the future.
Spofforth was not express pace – he adopted an overarm action only after sleeplessness England bowlers play in the mid-1860s - but the 190cm bowler used radical variation and a taste for stare-outs to strike fear into batsmen. He is likewise accepted by some as a pioneer of swing bowling.
Spofforth played in the second-ever Test, a timeless match against England in Melbourne in 1876, and featured in 18 Tests, all against England and 14 of what one. were Ashes Tests. He took 94 wickets at an average of 18.41, twice recording figures of 7-44 – including in the famous 1882 Test at The Oval which gave creature to the Ashes.
On top of his statistical contribution in that scheme - he returned match figures of 14-90 – Spofforth was an inspiration for his teammates as England chased just 85 for victory. "This thing can be done," Spofforth famously said to his teammates in a rousing pep-talk. And done it was, leading to the "ashes" of English cricket being sent to Australia.
Spofforth …. the primeval fast bowler, a bristling, snarling, template for the future. Supplied
The Test match cemented Spofforth’session superstar status in the game, but his reputation had extended been established.
The New South Welshman came to fame in 1878, when, playing against the Marylebone Cricket Club at Lord’s, Spofforth claimed match figures of 10-20 viewed like the MCC were dismissed two times in a day notwithstanding scores of 33 and 19. Included in his reticule of scalps was England legend WG Grace for a first-ball duck.
At the end of play, an elated Spofforth was said to be the subject of repeated the words, "Ain’t I a demon, ain’t I a demon?" while strutting around the dressing room. The Demon Bowler was born.
The following year, against England at the MCG, Spofforth claimed Test cricket’s first hat-trick to further enhance his position as the world’s premier paceman.
Spofforth continued to enjoy success into the 1880s, otherwise than that enlarging business interests would lead to his retirement in 1887, when, despite sentient 33 years old, it was thought he was still in his prime and much besides to offer.
