Eddie Barlow 1940-2005

Eddie Barlow, the former South African all-rounder, died just before the turn of the year. There are notices here, here and here. They tell of the determination and enthusiasm with which he played, his talent as a slip fielder, and that Charles Fortune 'once described him as running up to bowl "looking like an unmade bed".'

Eddie Barlow was a member of the greatest cricket team South Africa has ever fielded. Apart from Barlow himself, it included Barry Richards, Graeme and Peter Pollock, Mike Proctor and Denis Lindsay (who also died recently). In 1969-70, just before South Africa's departure from official international cricket for more than two decades, Ali Bacher led them in a series whitewash (4-0) against Bill Lawry's Australians. From a piece by Rodney Hartman, about that South African team and that series, comes the following story:

At Durban Barlow made only one after coming in at 229 for 3 at the dismissal of Richards. He explained there was "no price" batting after Richards and [Graeme] Pollock.

In the second innings, after Bacher (a medical doctor) had enforced the follow-on with a 465-run advantage, the Aussies were mounting a fightback when a telegram was delivered to the captain on the field. It read: "Please Doc, give me a bowl. Bunter [Eddie Barlow's nickname]." Bacher tossed him the ball. Barlow, whose figures were 0 for 50 at the time, rolled in, medium-fast[,] and took three wickets in 11 balls.

On that South African team, see also here. (Hat tip: normblog's Tel Aviv correspondent.)