F.S. Jackdon reckons E Jones was the FASTEST bowler ever

F.S. Jackson wrote:“Of all the fast bowlers the Australians have sent to this country, I think Jones was the best in my time. I have very good reasons for remembering him, as I took part in the first match he played in this country against Lord Sheffield’s XI at Sheffield Park, Sussex, in 1896. He was one of the most powerful men I ever met. I believe he was a miner, and in his early days of the tour was very wild in his delivery. This was probably because the Australians came practically straight off the ship to the match and were short of practice. Jones gave me the impression that his main effort was to show his immense pace. The wicket was dry and he bowled short, bumpy stuff.

“One ball from Jones hit W.G. under the arm, and later in the innings another one went head-high past him and over Kelly’s head to the boundary. This was the ball about which the Beard Story originated. I can see W.G. now. He threw his head back, which caused his beard to stick out. Down the pitch went W.G., stroking his beard, to Harry Trott and said: ‘Here, what is all this?’ And Trott said: ‘Steady, Jonah.’ To which Jones made that famous remark: ‘Sorry, Doctor, she slipped.’

I do not think the ball actually touched W.G.’s beard. That story was told afterwards, and I believe I was responsible. When I was out and returned to the Pavilion, I said: ‘Did you see that one go through W.G.’s beard?’ The ball was bouncing, and only Ranji appeared to like it. The pace that Jones was bowling impressed me because in the second innings, when I had made about 10, I had the misfortune to stop one with my ribs, but with the assistance of W.A.J. West, the umpire, who rubbed me, I was able to continue my innings.”

Brass Monkey wrote:I thought it was a superhero, real name Don, who turned into a jackdaw. I feel forking silly.

Apparently Benaud thought that Ted McDonald was faster than ERNIE Jones.

Can't remember what he'd know, but Ted was like todally not BOGUS

PeterCS wrote:Rameez?