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A profile of Eric Hollies
by Dave Liverman


Player:WE Hollies

Eric Hollies' place in cricket history largely rests on the ball he bowled on the 14th of August, 1948 - a googly that pitched on off, hit middle, and dismissed Don Bradman for a duck in his final Test innings. Hollies however deserves to be remembered for much more than this - a successful county cricketer who took more wickets for Warwickshire than any other bowler in a first-class career that spanned 1932-1957.

A leg break bowler who bowled relatively quickly from a short run and with an easy action, he bowled mostly the leg-break and top-spinner, using his excellent googly sparingly. He did not strive for excessive spin, emphasizing accuracy. He was a notably poor bat - his highest score in twenty years of first-class cricket was only 47, and he is one of the few players whose first-class wickets (2,323) exceed his first-class runs (1,673). He learnt his trade in the Birmingham leagues, coached by his father who was himself a top-class league player. He made his debut for Warwickshire in 1932, establishing himself as a regular in the following year. Another successful season the following year earned him a place in the touring party to the West Indies, where he made his Test debut. He had a good tour, taking 7/50 in the Third Test, before suffering at the hands of Headley in the final Test. Despite fine performances for Warwickshire he did not get another chance at Test level until 1947. He took 100 wickets in 1935, a feat he was to repeat thirteen more times, and although picked to play against South Africa had to withdraw due to injury. He did play against South Africa three times in 1947 with mixed success, and his 8/147 for Warwickshire against the 1948 Australians earned him his place in that final Test. He took four other Australian wickets besides that of Bradman, and bowled economically. He played four Tests against New Zealand, again with mixed success, and twice against the West Indies in 1950, his Test career ending with two expensive wickets at Edgbaston as Worrell and Weekes put the English bowling to the sword. He toured Australia the following winter, but the wickets did not suit him and he did not play in a Test.

He played seven more years for Warwickshire, bowling as well as ever apart from a loss of form in 1956, when he was county captain. His most remarkable performance was taking all ten Nottinghamshire wickets for 49 runs in 1946 - without the assistance of a fieldsman, seven being bowled and the other three lbw. In his final season he took 132 wickets at an average on under 19, and following retirement from the first-class season, played for Staffordshire, and in the Birmingham leagues until he was well over sixty. A gentle cheerful and humourous man he was much liked by his team-mates and opponents.

(Article: Copyright © 2003 Dave Liverman)

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