Lancelot Richard Gibbs is a genuine legend of the game. The former West Indian bowler became the first-ever spinner to reach 300 wickets in Test cricket. Born on the 29th September in 1934 the former star turns 90. Lance Gibbs also happens to be a cousin of former two-time ODI World Cup-winning captain Clive Lloyd.
The tall spinner has been a huge inspiration for the next generation of bowlers. At a time when pace and swing bowling were in the vogue, Lance Gibbs was known to be a trendsetter. Many legends of the game called Lance Gibbs as one of the most dangerous bowlers of all time.
With his tall reach, he could beat the batter with his pace. Lance Gibbs also was very well-versed in his ability to fly the ball. This got many batters to give the West Indian the charge to either mistime the shots or be out-stumped or bowled.
Lance Gibbs: The West Indian giant who created history
23-year-old Lance Gibbs made his Test debut against Pakistan during the 1958 series at the Port of Spain ground in Trinidad and Tobago. With the bat, Gibbs scored 2 as the home team scored 325 before being bowled out for 325. The youngster could pick only 1 wicket when he dismissed Waqar Hassan for 17.
In the 2nd innings, West Indies had a lead of 43 runs as Gibbs scored 22 runs. With the ball, the off-spinner picked up 3 wickets and dismissed Waqar Hassan for a second time in the game. His other wickets were that of the Pakistan skipper Abdul Kardar for 24 and last man Nasim Ul Ghani for 1 as the home team won the game.
This was just the start of a long career where the West Indian star became a consistent wicket-taker. He had played 79 matches and ended with 309 wickets with a best of 8/38 with 18 fifers and 2 ten-wicket hauls.
The final game for Gibbs came against Australia in Melbourne. The home team won the game by 185 runs. The last two wickets in Test cricket for Gibbs were that of centurion Ian Redpath for 101 and Gary Gilmour for 2. The former star also played 3 ODI matches where he picked 2 wickets. His 330 First class got him 1024 wickets with a best of 8/37 with 50 fifers and 10 ten-wicket hauls in a game.
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