John Snow was a menacing fast bowler regarded as one of the finest pacemen produced by England. He played from 1965-1976 and took part in 49 Tests, claiming 202 wickets at an average of 26.66.
Standing at 6’3″, Snow generated fearsome pace and steep bounce with a strong shoulder action to terrorize opposition batting lineups.
Snow was sharp and aggressive in his approach, often exchanging words with batsmen to unsettle them before unleashing a barrage of pacey deliveries.
His hostility and overall talent accelerated England’s rise in world cricket during the late 1960s before recurring injuries took their toll.
Article Highlights
Hide- John Snow played from 1965-1976 and took part in 49 Tests, claiming 202 wickets at an average of 26.66.
- Snow was sharp and aggressive in his approach, often exchanging words with batsmen.
- John Snow established himself as one of the most menacing fast bowlers of his era.
- Standing at 6'3", Snow generated fearsome pace and steep bounce with a strong shoulder action
Snow’s finest hour came during England’s 1970-71 Ashes triumph in Australia where he picked up 31 wickets and won man of the series honors for his blistering spells including an epic 7-40.
For being England’s pace spearhead through the second half of the 1960s up until the middle of the 1970s with his sheer quickness and unwavering intensity, John Snow established himself as one of the most menacing fast bowlers of his era.
Early Life and Education
John Augustine Snow was born on October 13, 1941 in Peopleton, Worcestershire, England. His father was a cricket fanatic and helped develop young John’s interest in the sport from an early age.
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Snow grew up on his family’s small farm in the countryside, which instilled a tough, rugged personality. He attended Church Lench village school as a young boy where he excelled in sports.
John Snow later went to Evesham Grammar School from 1952-1958 where he focused seriously on cricket and had a reputation as a fearsome fast bowler even at school level, rattling batsmen with quick deliveries.
John Snow’s Path to Cricket
He began playing club cricket for Worcester cricket teams from a young teenager. His promise was clear which led to being selected for Worcestershire’s second XI squad by age 17. John Snow continued club progress secured him a professional contract with Sussex in 1959 at just 18 years old.
So Snow’s early years developed the fierce competitiveness and fast bowling prowess that would make him a England legend. Rooted in county cricket, his gradual rise showed immense potential before earning international call-ups within just 5 years.
Career Highlights of Legendary English Fast Bowler John Snow
John Snow is known to make his Test debut against New Zealand in 1965, taking 11 wickets in his first match and formed a potent new ball partnership with Sussex teammate Fred Trueman for England.
Snow also took 27 wickets in a Test series against West Indies in 1967-68 and his 7 wickets for 40 runs against Australia in 1970-71 Ashes was his career-best bowling.
John Snow was with 31 wickets, was England’s leading wicket-taker in the 1970-71 Ashes series and struggled with knee injuries from 1972 onwards but still led the England attack effectively.
Snow played a key role in England’s home Ashes win in 1972 with his aggressive fast bowling and his 202 wickets from 49 Tests made him England’s leading Test wicket-taker of his era.
John Snow’s first fast bowler to reach the milestone of 200 Test wickets for England and finally retired from international cricket in 1976 after recurring battles with injury and disputes with administration over pay.
In summary, Snow consistently dominated opposing batting lineups in the second half of the 1960s into the early 1970s with his blistering pace and intensity. His exploits proved crucial in some of England’s most famous series wins before mounting injuries took their toll.
Summary
John Snow was regarded as one of the finest English fast bowlers and a pioneer of genuine quick bowling during the 1960s and early 1970s.
The tall right-arm pacer took 202 wickets at an average of 26.66 in 49 Test matches over an 8-year international career between 1965-1973 establishing himself as the spearhead of England’s bowling attack with his hostile pace, steepling bounce and skill to move the ball.
Snow braved numerous injuries bowling aggressively at extreme speed on uncovered wickets without the rotation of pace bowlers prevalent today.
His fiery fast bowling paired with his ability to initiate devastating collapse of opposition batting lineups multiple times earned Snow fame and the nickname “Snowy” which aptly matched his chilling speed and effectiveness during an era of seam and swing mastery by quick bowlers across the cricketing world.
