OTD | Eric Hollies, who denied Don Bradman a career average of 100 by dismissing him for a duck, was born in 1912

There are various reasons why a bowler is remembered in cricket history. Generally, it can be attributed to his remarkable achievements, match-winning performances or his unique or fearsome bowling style. However, in the case of William Eric Hollies, the English spinner is remembered for his one dismissal – the ball that denied Sir Donald Bradman a humongous milestone.  

Don Bradman, arguably one of the greatest batters of all time, was dismissed by Eric Hollies in his final Test match innings. Hollies, known for his varied leg break and googly, bowled a ‘villainous’ delivery to deny the legendary Australian a Test average of 100 when just four runs were needed. Brandman had to call it a day with 6996 runs from 52 Test matches, and his Test average strangled at 99.94, a record no player has come within arm’s reach of.

Born in Old Hill, Staffordshire, Hollies made his English county debut for Warwickshire in 1932. He spent his entire first-class cricket career for Warwickshire and picked up over 2000 wickets. Notably, he took over 100 wickets for the club in almost every year between 1935 and 1957. 

Compared to most leg spinners, Hollies did not spin the ball much, but he stood out for his county with accuracy and bowling long spells. At his peak, he was one of England’s best bowlers. He made his national debut in 1935 and played only 13 matches, in which he took 44 wickets at an economy rate of 2.25 and an average of 30.27.

The right-arm spinner was named as one of the Wisden Cricketers of the Year in 1955 after taking 100 wickets for the 10th time. Hollies played a few times for Staffordshire in 1958, retired from country cricket in 1957, and played league cricket into the 1970s. He died at the age of 68 in Chinley, Derbyshire.

Also read: Star England all-rounder Ben Stokes was born in 1991