Michael Holding

When one thinks of Michael Holding, one realizes that there are different hues to the man. As a tear away fast bowler, the fondest memory of the man is of his over to technically one of the most perfect batsmen, Geoffrey Boycott, that worked him over off the first five deliveries, before bowling him neck and crop. When one thinks of his bowling run up, and his action, one is reminded of what Dickie Bird referred to him as; Whispering Death. When one remembers him talk in the commentary box, it is that straight talking, strong Caribbean accent that meets one’s thoughts. Here was also a man who had kicked the stumps in disgust when appeals after appeals kept getting turned down by the Kiwi umpires, frustrating the man no ends.

To add to this, Holding picked up 249 Test wickets at almost 24, while his 140 odd ODI scalps cost him only 21. Batting was obviously not his forte, but he did play his part in the tenth wicket 100 plus run partnership with Vivian Richards, in which his own contribution was not even 15.

Now, after retirement, he has taken to the commentary box like a duck to water, with his astute observations and sarcastic sense of humor providing a lot of entertainment to the viewing public.