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Maurice Tate who used to play for Sussex began his career as a slow off-break bowler. However, very soon switched to fast-medium bowling and that is how people now remember him. In fact, he is considered the best in that genre between the two world wars.
Tired of seeing the broad bat of Hampshire's Phil Mead plunder hundred after hundred in County Cricket matches, Tate bowled a leg-cutter as a surprise. Before Mead could recognise the variation, his leg-stump was down. Sussex captain Gilligan called Tate out for a closer look at nets. Gilligan could do little better than Mead. Tate was advised to reconsider his bowling strategy. The next game against Middlesex produced instant success in his new role. By the lunch break Middlesex were 5 down for 26 thanks to Tate who finished with 6 for 30. Tate the spinner was now history.
Tate was highly successful in his debut for England. He got a wicket with his first ball in his Test career and later went on to take 4 for 12 against South Africa at Birmingham. The South Africans had been bowled out for 30 in of 12.3 overs. The poor tourists had no clue how to deal with this new menace in the bowling department. In that series, Tate bagged 27 wickets at an average of 15.70 was extremely satisfactory and gave an indication of things to come. Later, his tour of Australia was even more successful. He scalped 38 Australians at an average of 23.18 and he was playing for the side that lost 4 matches. It was also the first time that he bowled those 8-ball overs that was the norm in Australia.
(To be continued)
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