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There is a story - what would cricket be without such folklore? - about Ray Lindwall bowling at an Indian in a Test match. When he saw the batsman backing away before the delivery of the ball Lindwall is said to have remarked to the non-striker: "Why is he running away? I don't have to hit him to hit the stumps."
That remark was an eloquent comment not so much on the state of Indian batting at that time as on the sheer quality of Lindwall's bowling. Not for him the bone-crushing variety of fast stuff, accompanied by theatricals and obscene gestures, which have become de rigueur these days for anyone aspiring to bowl at anything more than 60 kmph.
Long before the term "Rolls Royce" was applied to Michael Holding, the accolade for fast bowling at its best and speediest without any fuss or histrionics would have easily gone to Lindwall. There was an elemental athleticism, grace and economy of effort about the man which no modern day pace bowler can hope to match.
Lindwall had a classic side-on action, which is the basic principle of all bowling. That gave him time to see the batsman over his shoulder right till the time of delivery, and to adjust his bowling accordingly.
That sort of correct action also obviated the need for crudities like short-pitched stuff sprayed indiscriminately at the batsman. True, Lindwall could bowl a bouncer to lethal effect, but it was used sparingly and always to gain a wicket according to a set plan. (To be continued)
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