Michael Holding
November 16, 2007
It was a 1981 series between England and West Indies and the formidable Geoff Boycott, the king of Yorkshire cricket was being put into rather compromising positions. A tall fast bowler from the music loving Jamaica, standing at 6’4†was creating music of a different kind. The first five deliveries of the over were enough to bring the devil out of the grave, whistling past the chin, zipping over the head, creating absolute havoc. The last delivery was more like a breather for the batsman, the middle stump was uprooted from the ground and a relieved Boycott trudged back to the pavilion. They call it the greatest over in world cricket and is a living tribute to the greatness that was Michael Holding.
A colorful, flamboyant cricketer, Holding was born on February 16, 1954 in Jamaica, West Indies. An outstanding athlete from the start, he was a champion of sorts in the 400 m sprint. The affect was apparent even in his bowling as he was known to have the longest and the most attractive run up in those days. Right from his debut, he was an instant success as he adjusted himself perfectly in the fearsome Windies pace quartet. Known for his quick, nippy bouncers and immaculate line and length, he was a scourge for most batsmen at that time. In his test career, he grabbed 249 scalps at a miserly average of 23.68 with 13 five wicket hauls and 2 ten wickets in a match.
He was a character on the field and a particular incident in seen in amusing light. In the New Zealand series of 1979-80, the Windies had just from a particularly strenuous series in Australia and a number of players had decided not to take part in the relatively unglamorous series. The kiwis were not a formidable side then but had the bowlers frustrated in a particular innings. The umpiring had been unfair in the entire series and after a particularly bad decision by umpire Fred Goodwill, Michael turned around and kicked the stumps, uprooting them from the ground. The image was taken on film and is now a collector’s item. In the 102 one day international games that he played he captured 149 wickets at a good strike rate.
He has been given a number of titles in his career but the most prominent and the most apt was given by the umpires themselves. For his stealthy, quite run up with which he crept past the umpires, he was reverentially titled ‘whispering death’. His batting talent was another interesting chapter in his cricketing artillery and he although he scores just 910 runs at an average of 14, more than half the runs came in the form of sixes. He hit 36 sixes in his test career which is the 32nd highest ever.
After his retirement, he continued to be associated with cricket. After a brief stint at coaching, he used his cricket knowledge and his colorful personality to become a cricket broadcaster. He is presently employed by Sky Sports and his insight and his amazing sense of humor and spontaneity, coupled with that distinctive West Indian accent make him a distinct and much loved commentator. His commentary duels with Geoffrey Boycott are highly amusing as the two former nemesis recount the famous over of death.
Michael Holding has been a positive influence on a number of present day test cricketers. He has worked on the run ups of Franklyn Rose and Mervin Dillon and is often seen with the team, sharing a lighter moment. Michael ‘whispering death’ Holding will always be remembered as a great cricketer.
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