Description
Cricket – Jeff Thomson Signed and Framed Speed Of Fright Sportsprint
‘If I were to choose one photograph to illustrate the awesome beauty of Thomson’s bowling, it would be Patrick Eagar’s portrait of him in his delivery stride.’ Michael Parkinson
No-one on earth has propelled a 156 gram piece of red leather through the air faster than Jeffrey Robert Thomson.
His distinctive catapult-like action made it look as though he was throwing a spear, or hurling thunderbolts. Many of the world’s batsmen would say that he was.
This unique action, combined with a natural athletic ability and incredible flexibility, created a unique ability to bowl a cricket ball faster than anyone else ever has.
In 1974/’75 he burst upon the scene, The touring English side were ambushed by a tornado called ‘Lillee ‘n Thomson’. Jeff Thomson, in particular, bowled with terrifying speed, the English publication, ‘Wisden’, would report it as ‘the greatest battering in the history of the game’.
Thomson took 33 wickets in five Tests from just nine innings, and proved virtually unplayable because of his extreme pace and the alarming lift that his slingshot action generated.
A shoulder injury forced an adjustment in his action and robbed him of some pace. However, this did not stop him from carving out a long, successful career, taking 200 Test wickets, and in spells; he was still the fastest of them all.
‘The most awe-inspiring fast bowling I’d ever faced, the bat in my hand seemed superfluous. Batting was a complete misery.’ Dennis Amiss, England opener, 1975.
At Lord’s, on the 1975 Ashes tour famed cricket photographer, Patrick Eagar, captured the definitive portrait of his distinctive action.
Each Jeff Thomson Speed of Fright print is;
- Personally signed by Australian Fast Bowler Jeff Thomson
- Limited edition of 500 units world-wide
- Accompanied by a Certificate of Authenticity
- Authenticated and Certified by PricewaterhouseCoopers
- Approximate print dimensions of 500 x 400mm
