The Hollies touch in Bradman legend

Suresh Menon, writing on espnstar.com, says that England bowler Eric Hollies, who had bowled Don Bradman for a last-inning duck, was an unsung hero who was recognised more for his exploits in county cricket than Test cricket.

Don Bradman’s last-inning duck got many more headlines than the man who dismissed him – Eric Hollies. Although Hollies played 13 Tests, it is as a bowler for Warwickshire that he is better remembered. He once claimed all ten wickets in an innings against Nottinghamshire, remarkably without the aid of a fielder; seven were bowled and three leg before. That was in 1946, when as Warwickshire struggled, he emerged as the leading wicket taker. It was not good enough to find him a place in the team for the Ashes tour, a decision England had cause to regret. In all, Hollies finished with 2323 wickets, and as befit one of the leading rabbits in the game, a total of 1673 runs at an average of 5.28.