Fred Trueman facts for kids
Statue of Trueman in Skipton by Graham Ibbeson
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Personal information | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Full name |
Frederick Sewards Trueman
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Born | 6 February 1931 Scotch Springs, Stainton, West Riding of Yorkshire, England |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Died | 1 July 2006 (aged 75) Steeton with Eastburn, West Yorkshire, England |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Nickname | Fiery Fred | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Height | 5 ft 10 in (1.78 m) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Batting | Right-handed | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Bowling | Right-arm fast | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Role | Bowler | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| International information | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| National side | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Test debut (cap 369) | 5 June 1952 v India | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Last Test | 17 June 1965 v New Zealand | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Domestic team information | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Years | Team | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1949–1968 | Yorkshire | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1972 | Derbyshire | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Career statistics | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Source: ESPNcricinfo, 18 March 2018
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Frederick Sewards Trueman, also known as Fred Trueman, was a famous English cricket player. He played for Yorkshire County Cricket Club and the England cricket team. Born on 6 February 1931, he became a professional player. Later in life, he also became an author and a broadcaster.
Many people consider Trueman one of the best bowlers in cricket history. He was known for his incredibly fast bowling and his nickname "Fiery Fred". He made history as the first bowler to take 300 wickets in Test cricket. He and Brian Statham formed a legendary bowling team for England. Trueman was also a great fielder, especially at leg slip. He was a useful lower order batsman, even scoring three centuries in first-class matches.
In 1951, he received his Yorkshire county cap. The next year, he was named "Young Cricketer of the Year". In 1953, he was honored as one of the Wisden Cricketers of the Year. Fred Trueman was a popular public figure. British Prime Minister Harold Wilson even joked that he was the "greatest living Yorkshireman".
After retiring from playing, Trueman became well-known in the media. He worked in television and was a popular radio commentator for the BBC on Test Match Special. He received the OBE award in 1989 for his contributions to cricket. In 2009, he was added to the ICC Cricket Hall of Fame. In 2018, he was named in England's greatest Test XI team.
Contents
Early Life and Cricket Beginnings
Childhood and First Steps
Fred Trueman was born in a small village called Stainton, near Maltby, in Yorkshire. He was the middle child of seven. His family lived in the countryside, close to a coal mine and Stainton village. His parents, Alan and Ethel Trueman, taught their children to be honest and disciplined.
Fred's father was the captain of the local Stainton cricket club. Fred started bowling when he was just four years old. He often went with his father to matches and even played for the club when he was only eight. When Fred was twelve, his family moved to Maltby. He continued to play cricket at Maltby Secondary School.
Developing His Cricket Skills
At Maltby Secondary School, teachers Dickie Harrison and Tommy Stubbs saw Fred's talent as a bowler. They picked him for the school team, even though he was much younger than others. His school cricket was paused for two years after he was hurt by a cricket ball.
He started playing again in 1945 when he was fourteen. That summer, he left school and began working. He had several jobs before becoming a professional cricketer. Fred joined a village club called Roche Abbey in 1946. He played well there and caught the eye of Cyril Turner, a former Yorkshire player. Turner was coaching the Sheffield United Cricket Club.
Fred Trueman always said Cyril Turner was a "superb coach". Turner taught him how to hold the ball, make it swing, and how to follow through after bowling. Fred played for Sheffield United's Second XI in 1947. Then he moved up to the first team. The next winter, Yorkshire invited him to special coaching classes. These were held at Headingley Cricket Ground and led by Bill Bowes and Arthur Mitchell.
In 1948, Fred was chosen for the Yorkshire Federation team, which was for players under eighteen. On a tour with this team, he met future Yorkshire teammates Brian Close and Ray Illingworth. He had a great season with Sheffield. A newspaper even reported that Herbert Sutcliffe predicted Fred would play for Yorkshire before he was nineteen and for England before he was twenty-one.
In 1949, Fred was surprised to get a telegram from Yorkshire. It said he was chosen to play for the first team in their opening matches.
Becoming a Cricket Star
Early Professional Matches: 1949 to 1951
Fred Trueman played his first professional cricket match on 11 May 1949. It was a three-day game against Cambridge University, which Yorkshire won. He took two wickets in the first innings and one in the second. His first wicket was Robert Morris. In his second match, he took six wickets. A month later, he took eight wickets against the Minor Counties at Lord's.
Yorkshire wanted to develop young players slowly. Fred often had to wait for his chance to play. The team was rebuilding after the Second World War. Fred played in eight matches in 1949. He also played for the Second XI team. His first season ended early when he got a thigh injury.
In 1950, a cricket magazine said Fred was "built for the job of a fast 'un". But it also said Yorkshire would not rush his development. Fred was frustrated because he wanted to play more for Yorkshire. He felt there were problems within the team, with some players not getting along. Fred was fast but sometimes bowled too wildly.
Fred worked hard in the winter of 1950–51 with coaches Bowes and Mitchell. His bowling improved a lot. In 1951, he took 90 wickets, compared to 31 in previous seasons. He took five wickets in an innings six times. His best performance was eight wickets for 53 runs against Nottinghamshire. In that match, he got his first hat-trick, making the ball swing perfectly.
Fred took all four of his career hat-tricks for Yorkshire. This is a county record he shares with George Macaulay. Even after taking many wickets, Fred was sometimes rested. But his eight wickets for 53 runs was seen as "the start of the Trueman era". In August 1951, Fred and Bob Appleyard were given their county caps by their captain.
Playing for England: 1952 to 1953
Fred Trueman did his national service in the Royal Air Force (RAF) from 1951 to 1953. He was lucky to have a station commander who loved cricket. This commander allowed Fred to take leave for Test matches and some county games. Fred even worked in the sports section of the RAF.
His national service limited him to nine first-class matches in 1952, but four of these were Test matches. He made his England debut on 5 June 1952 against India at Headingley Cricket Ground. Len Hutton was the England captain, the first professional player to lead the team at home. England won the match easily. Fred took three wickets in the first innings. In the second, he took three wickets in just 14 balls. He finished with 29 wickets in his debut series.
In 1952, Fred was named "Young Cricketer of the Year". The next spring, he was chosen as one of the "Wisden Cricketers of the Year". Wisden said he showed promise of becoming like Harold Larwood, another famous fast bowler.
Fred also played football for Lincoln City during his national service. He was a forward and drew big crowds. He was offered a professional contract but chose to focus on cricket.
In 1953, England won the Ashes series against Australia for the first time in many years. Fred missed the first four drawn Tests. He played in the final Test at the Oval, where England won. He took four important wickets in that match.
Challenges and Triumphs: 1954 to 1956
Fred's first overseas tour was to the West Indies in 1953–54. He played in eight matches, including three Tests. He took 27 wickets. This tour was difficult for Fred. The team management discouraged players from being friendly with the West Indies players. Fred, who was very sociable, did not like this rule. He became friends with Frank Worrell and other West Indian players.
West Indian fans didn't like his aggressive style, especially when he hit batsmen with the ball. They nicknamed him "Mr Bumper Man". At the end of the tour, Fred's good-conduct bonus was taken away. No reason was given, and he never forgave captain Len Hutton or the MCC (Marylebone Cricket Club).
Back in England, Fred played a full season for Yorkshire in 1954. He took 134 wickets, his first time taking over 100 wickets in a season. Yorkshire almost won the County Championship but finished second. Fred worked hard to improve his bowling accuracy. Despite his great form, he wasn't picked for any Test matches against Pakistan or for the tour to Australia and New Zealand.
In 1955, Fred had a problem with his bowling action, called "drag". He fixed it by shortening his run-up. Yorkshire again finished second in the County Championship. Fred returned to the England team for one Test against South Africa. He opened the bowling with Brian Statham, who became his long-term partner.
In 1956, Peter May became England captain. Fred was recalled for two Tests against Australia. He took five wickets in the second Test at Lord's. He also took his 50th Test wicket in that match. Fred played in 31 first-class matches in 1956. He had a persistent strain in his left side. Yorkshire finished seventh in the County Championship that year.
The Great Test Bowler: 1957 to 1964
In 1957, Fred Trueman became a regular player for England. He recovered from his injury and bowled very well. He was selected for the entire Test series against West Indies. He took 22 wickets, making him England's top wicket-taker. His strong partnership with Brian Statham truly began. Statham was known for his accuracy, while Trueman was known for his powerful bowling.
Fred played in 32 first-class matches in 1957, taking 135 wickets. He was also excellent at fielding, catching 36 balls. In 1958, Ronnie Burnet became Yorkshire's new captain. He was a good leader and helped the team improve. Fred played in all five Tests against New Zealand in 1958, taking 15 wickets. He even scored his highest Test score of 39 not out in the final Test.
England toured Australia and New Zealand in 1958–59. England lost the Ashes series. Fred had a difficult tour due to injuries and problems with the team manager. He played in the last three Tests, taking nine wickets. He became very popular with the Australian fans.
In 1959, Yorkshire won the County Championship for the first time in Fred's career. He played a big part, taking 140 wickets. He was very committed to helping Yorkshire win. England also played India in a Test series that year. Fred played in all five Tests and took 24 wickets. England won all five matches.
Fred's tour to the West Indies in 1959–60 was much happier than his previous one. He had a good relationship with the team manager. In 1960, Yorkshire won the Championship again. Fred had an amazing season, taking 175 wickets, his highest career total. He also played in all five Tests against South Africa. He and Statham took many wickets together, helping England win the series.
In 1961, Fred played in the first four Tests against Australia. He helped England win the third Test at Headingley, taking eleven wickets in the match. Yorkshire finished second in the County Championship that year.
In 1962, Yorkshire won the County Championship again. Fred had another great season, taking 153 first-class wickets. He also scored 840 runs, his best batting season. England played a weak Pakistan team that year. Fred took 22 wickets in the series. In one match, he took nine wickets, including six for 31 in the first innings.
In 1962–63, Fred and Statham toured Australia and New Zealand. Both were close to breaking the world record for Test wickets. Statham broke the record first, but Fred later passed him, reaching 250 wickets. England won one Test against Australia. Fred took eight wickets in England's victory at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.
In 1963, England played a strong West Indies team. Fred had an outstanding series, even though England lost. He took eleven wickets in a classic match at Lord's. In the next Test, he took twelve wickets, helping England win. He took the last six West Indian wickets in just 24 balls.
Yorkshire won the County Championship again in 1963. Fred took 76 wickets in the Championship and 34 in Tests. He also scored two centuries, his first in first-class cricket.
In 1964, Fred played in three Tests against Australia. In the fifth Test at the Oval, he made history. On 15 August 1964, he became the first bowler to take 300 Test wickets. He got Neil Hawke caught by Colin Cowdrey. When asked if his record would be broken, he famously joked: "Aye, but whoever does it will be bloody tired."
Final Years in Cricket: 1965 to 1972
Fred Trueman's Test career ended in 1965. He played in the first two Tests against New Zealand. He retired from Test cricket with a world record of 307 wickets. He continued to play first-class cricket for Yorkshire until the end of the 1968 season.
Fred had many disagreements with the England cricket leaders. He felt he was often left out of the team because of his outspoken personality. He believed he could have taken over 400 Test wickets if he had played more.
In 1966, Fred focused on his county career. He helped Yorkshire win three County Championships in a row until 1968. He took 111 wickets that year, the twelfth and final time he reached 100 wickets in a season. In 1967, he bowled in shorter spells, as he knew he couldn't maintain his fast pace for as long.
In 1968, Fred was acting captain for Yorkshire when Brian Close was injured. He led the team to their third consecutive title. He was very proud to lead Yorkshire to a big win against a strong Australian team. After this victory, Fred decided it was a good time to retire from cricket. He wanted to leave while still at the top of his game.
He played one last first-class match in 1969 at the Scarborough Festival. He also made a surprising return in 1972, playing six limited overs matches for Derbyshire.
Career Highlights
Fred Trueman played in 603 first-class matches. He scored 9,231 runs, including three centuries. He also took 439 catches. He took 2,304 wickets at an average of 18.27. This included four hat-tricks. His best bowling was eight wickets for 28 runs.
In 67 Test matches, he scored 981 runs and took 64 catches. He took a world record 307 Test wickets. His best Test bowling was eight wickets for 31 runs. For Yorkshire, he took 1,745 wickets, a record only beaten by four other players. He took 100 wickets in a season 12 times. His best season was 1960, when he took 175 wickets.
His Unique Bowling Style
Approach to the Game
Fred Trueman played cricket to win. He also loved to entertain the crowd when he was batting or fielding. When he was captain, he showed great tactical skills.
He often visited the opposing team's dressing room. Sometimes it was to see friends, but often it was to challenge them in a friendly, humorous way. Fred was known for his strong opinions. He disliked what he saw as "snobbishness" in some parts of the cricket world.
Bowling Technique
Fred Trueman's bowling run-up was long and curving. He would turn his body sideways and swing his arm in a powerful "cartwheel" motion. His bowling arm stayed high, giving the ball extra bounce and speed. The ball usually swung away from the batsman. Fred believed his ability to consistently bowl outswingers was a new skill he brought to county cricket.
Many experts agree that Fred Trueman is one of the greatest bowlers in cricket history. He was very strong and rarely got injured. He had more than just speed; he learned to control the ball's swing and pace. He was a charismatic player, known for his unique style.
In his early career, Fred was very fast but sometimes wild. This earned him the nickname "Fiery Fred". As he got older, he became more controlled and skillful. He learned to use the yorker (a type of delivery) as a powerful weapon. Fred believed his success came from his "Trueman tenacity" and his "perfect physique for a fast bowler". He said strong legs, big shoulders, and hips were essential for a fast bowler.
Wisden, a famous cricket almanac, called Fred Trueman "probably the greatest fast bowler England has produced". Fred himself believed he was "t'finest fast bowler that ever drew breath".
Batting and Fielding Skills
Even though he was mainly a bowler, Fred Trueman was an excellent fielder. He preferred to field close to the batsman, especially at leg slip. He was known for being a safe catcher. He was also a good thrower with both hands.
As a batsman, Fred played to entertain. He had a good defensive style but also liked to hit attacking shots. He improved his batting later in his career, scoring three first-class centuries.
Life After Cricket
Test Match Special
From 1974 to 1999, Fred Trueman was a cricket commentator for the BBC radio show Test Match Special. He became good friends with other commentators like John Arlott and Brian Johnston. He was known for his direct style. He often used the phrase "I don't know what's going off out there" to show his frustration with modern players.
Fred often criticized parts of the modern game, like one-day cricket. He also talked about how often fast bowlers got injured. Some people thought he was too negative and always praised cricket from his own time. He once joked, "We didn't have metaphors in my day. We didn't beat about the bush."
However, Fred was highly respected for his deep knowledge of fast bowling. Many felt he should have coached England's teams. In 1975, the Australian fast bowler Dennis Lillee asked Fred for help. Fred gave Lillee technical advice that helped him improve his bowling. Fred was criticized for helping an Australian, but others argued that English players should also seek his expert advice.
Television and Other Media Work
In the 1970s, Fred Trueman hosted a TV show called Indoor League for Yorkshire Television. The show featured pub games like darts and arm-wrestling. Fred hosted the show with a pint of beer and his pipe. He would sign off each week with his Yorkshire phrase, "Ah'll sithee" (meaning "I'll be seeing you").
He also appeared in many other British TV shows. He played himself in an episode of Two in Clover. He also appeared as Earnest Egan in an episode of Dad's Army called "The Test", which was about a cricket match.
Fred was the subject of This Is Your Life in 1979. For 43 years, he wrote a column in the Sunday People newspaper about cricket and rugby league. After retiring from cricket, he became a popular after-dinner speaker.
Personal Life
Fred Trueman married Enid Chapman in 1955. They had three children: Karen, Rebecca, and Rodney. After they divorced in 1972, Fred married Veronica Wilson in 1973. Veronica had two children, Sheenagh and Patrick. They lived in a village called Flasby in the Yorkshire Dales. Fred also owned a sporting goods shop in Skipton for a while.
Honours and Recognition
Fred Trueman was awarded the Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in 1989 for his services to cricket. His Test Match Special colleague Brian Johnston nicknamed him "Sir Frederick". Many people, especially in Yorkshire, felt he deserved to be knighted.
Death
Fred Trueman was diagnosed with lung cancer in May 2006. He passed away on 1 July 2006. His funeral was held at the Bolton Priory and was attended by many former and current Yorkshire players. He was buried in the Priory's cemetery. A book of condolence was opened at Headingley cricket ground for fans to sign.
Statue
On 18 March 2010, a bronze statue of Fred Trueman was unveiled in Skipton. The statue, created by sculptor Graham Ibbeson, was unveiled by Fred's second wife, Veronica Trueman. His brother Dennis and former Test umpire Dickie Bird were also there.
Images for kids
-
A graph showing Trueman's Test career bowling statistics and how they varied over time.
-
Statue in Skipton
-
Trueman's grave at Bolton Abbey
See also
- List of international cricket five-wicket hauls by Fred Trueman
