Fred Trueman has died at the age of 75. He wasn't my favourite cricket commentator, but he was 'one of the greatest fast bowlers in the history of the game'.
Trueman's 300th Test wicket:
[T]he crowd hurried back to their places to see whether Trueman could complete his hat-trick. He also needed one more wicket to become the only bowler to take 300 wickets in Test matches. Hawke survived the first ball, but eventually provided Trueman with his 300th victim. - Wisden 1965Freddie Trueman.And then at last it happened. Trueman found himself facing Hawke, and after a few indecisive balls, a tickle from the outer edge went low and to his right side to Cowdrey at slip. Cowdrey does not miss these. All the world cheered as if the match was won... - Denzil Batchelor, The Test Matches of 1964
Trueman had 299 with the hope of reaching his target in the grand manner with a hat-trick. That was denied him, and he was kept waiting by Hawke six more overs for the 300. - E.M. Wellings, Simpson's Australians
The players trooped off the field for lunch. Trueman can never have know a longer forty minutes in his life. There was a chance of reaching 300 with a hat-trick. I wouldn't have been surprised if he had got it. He has always been a big, flamboyant, great-hearted character with a flair for the occasion. In fact he didn't manage it - the first ball after the break passed Hawke's off-stump. But the moment wasn't long coming. Trueman took the new ball and Cowdrey obliged again with the catch. Trueman stood in the middle of the pitch, his arms flung skywards like a gladiator. - Denis Compton, Test Diary 1964
Hawke... then clipped Trueman to give Cowdrey another slip catch and Trueman his 300th Test wicket. Soccer scenes then of adulation of the hero, Trueman all grins, with his arms around the neck of Cowdrey, his collaborator in this moment of triumph. In newspaper offices reporters were sent to telephone Trueman's wife for her views on her husband's triumph. - John Clarke, The Australians in England 1964
