World Fastest Bowler Competition (1979)

[Punk Rooster]

Don't bother checking this out if you have dial-up.... a 12 min clip.

[rod_rooster]

you got a link?

[Punk Rooster]

Good point RR!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bPDW7hj1yfs

[giffo]

I remember when they held a competion in the nets during the WSC days and Thommo was the quickest AND most accurate (kept knocking out the middle peg) clocking around 150-160 km/h.

[Adelaide Hawk]

I remember when they held a competion in the nets during the WSC days and Thommo was the quickest AND most accurate (kept knocking out the middle peg) clocking around 150-160 km/h.

That is the one they are talking about I think. I was in Perth that day and bumped into the Australian players in the Sheraton Hotel.

The amazing thing about Thommo's performance in that competition is that he was currently not playing for anyone as he was standing out of cricket waiting to be released from his ABC contract so he could play WSC.

He was slightly overweight, under-prepared, and still clearly quicker than any other bowler in the world. He won the accuracy trophy as well because he bowled yorkers and full tosses. The West Indians, unfamiliar with the laws of physics, kept pounding the ball in short, blissfully unaware that the ball loses pace off the wicket.

It always makes me smile when I hear a commentator say a ball gathers pace off the wicket as this is physically impossible.

[Snaggletooth Tiger]

That was around the same time Dennis Lillee developed the Aluminium bat!

[Adelaide Hawk]

That was around the same time Dennis Lillee developed the Aluminium bat!

Yes, the aluminium bat incident took place in the same match he was out caught Willey, bowled Dilley. I think the incident with the bat took place in the 1st Innings though, whereas the unusual dismissal was the 2nd Innings.