This is a fascinating interview celebrating the 50th anniversary of one of the great fast bowling feats: Michael Holding's 14 wickets (12 bowled or lbw) on an Oval featherbed in mid August 1976. Holding recalls how the 1976 West Indians were motivated by Tony Greig’s famous “grovel” comments (initially picked up by 22 year old Holding himself) which not only motivated West Indies to hammer England 3-0 but it also set in motion a decade and a half global dominance.
Holding reveals how he originally didn’t want to be a professional cricketer, who he was inspired by, how he discovered reverse swing at the Oval during that match, the only batsman he ever ‘had words with’, how he got his Whispering Death nickname and who he would choose as the King of West Indies fast bowlers.
For paid subscribers to The Analyst on Substack - CLICK HERE tomorrow a special bonus episode looking back at the extraordinary 1926 Oval Ashes Test - 100 years ago this week. It featured an incredible 172 run opening partnership between the great Jack Hobbs and Herbert Sutcliffe. There is remarkable Pathe footage of the game that celebrates and investigates a seminal moment in cricket history. #cricket #england #westindies #blackpower #grovel
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