Sarfraz Nawaz - The Father of Reverse Swing?

[Sakss]

He is considered to be the exponent of Reverse Swing. A bit out spoken these days but surely one of the better bowlers Pakistan has produced.

Pakistani bowlers to take 8+ wickets in an Away Test Innings

Sarfarz - 9 wickets vs Australia at MCG in March 1979

Sikander Bakht - 8 wickets vs India at Delhi in Dec 1979

 

[Red Devil]

That 9 for 86 against Australia has to be one of the greatest spells in the history of Test cricket. He took 7 wickets and gave away only 1 run

 

[dhump]

That 9 for 86 against Australia has to be one of the greatest spells in the history of Test cricket. He took 7 wickets and gave away only 1 run

But he didnt use any reverse swing in this spell of bowling. He just kept the line and length and uneven bounce of the wicket and his tight line did the damage. Indeed it was a great spell for those who witnessed it.

 

[junaid.ahmed]

he was one of the the best medium pace bowler of all time
founder of reverse swing
he & miandad were the first who started sledging from pakistan.
unfortunately he didnt quit sledging after his 3/4 retirements & thus resulted his career brilliance over looked by the cricket fans. Same the case with MoYo & Shoaib

 

[Sakss]

<iframe width="420" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/uV9rVihKbgg" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

The Video

 

[dhump]

<iframe width="420" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/uV9rVihKbgg" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

The Video

Ok I cant see anything I wonder how people use to watch these games on tv at home, pure guess game.

 

[MenInG]

I followed this game on radio - all I remember is sitting in front of the radio wondering what is happening!

 

[Khizr96]

Father of reverse swing-NO
Father of controversies-BIG YESS

 

[Robert]

Many will not agree with me but I don't consider him to be the father of reverse swing.

As someone who has a keen interest in cricket history and has read a lot on the evolution of the game through books & magazines, reverse swing was used by lot of great bowlers before Sarfaraz. Alan Davidson has mentioned a few times that on occasions the ball will go Irish (Aussies name for reverse swing). Fred Trueman has also mentioned that at times he can make the ball swing the other way.

One of the reasons that reverse swing was not used a lot before the 70's was because cricket especially in England was played on uncovered pitches where the ball used to seam and swing the whole day.

Interesting on Davo and Trueman, but surely they meant orthodox inswing, not reverse swing?

Lord Constantine said he could bowl reverse in the 1930s but I doubt there is much footage available.

 

[greatest]

Your right about Lord Constantine. Back in the old days, pre 70's, reverse swing was only possible through illegal means.

Reverse swing is only possible when the condition of the ball changes, be it naturally or illegally. That's why there are a lot of controversies associated with it.

 

[MenInG]

Happy 70th Birthday to Sarfraz.

 

[ARK Rafay]

I followed this game on radio - all I remember is sitting in front of the radio wondering what is happening!

wow. I didn't know you are that old.

 

[Bewal Express]

A man who is perennially​ angry.

 

[Saj]

A little story about Sarfraz Nawaz.

During the spot-fixing trial at Southwark Crown Court, Sarfraz would make the occasional appearance. He would normally turn up and sit at the back of the courtroom.

Normally after about 20 minutes if you looked towards him he would be fast asleep