Fred played over the span of five decades. To put that into perspective, the late Eddie Barlow played over four decades, and he seemed indestructible. Clive Rice, John Traicos and Peter de Vaal also played over four decades. Gary Player played pro golf for four decades.
Swann will never play this long (life has changed, Swann is absurdly wealthy and enjoys the good life), but he is easily the most successful spinner England have produced in half a century.
Who says so? Scyld Berry.
Addendum: Note from where Titmus is delivering the ball, and the thin Mike Gatting behind him and the helmetless batsman backing up. Omar Henry did me in Cape Town with one of these 26m deliveries. The late Stuart Leary nearly did, but he bowled it from 30m.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/cricket/international/england/8401946/Fred-Titmus-former-England-and-Middlesex-bowler-was-a-master-of-his-craft.html
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For the record, I don't say that at all; I merely contend that Swann is the most over-rated bowler since Paul Adams. To hear the English talk of him one expect to see him head-and-shoulders above all contenders in the world cup wicket taking stakes. He isn't. In fact, he is behind Robin Petersen, South Africa's the part-time bowler/batsman. See for yourself: http://tinyurl.com/6389l32
Peterson has had an exceptional World Cup, and well done to him. He has really taken his chances with bat and ball, and this good be the making of him as a world-class cricketer. Captain Crossbat has also given him chances. But comparisons don't matter in one tournament: they matter over time, and as someone who takes a wicket every 58 balls, Swann is unquestionably the most effective spinner since Warnie, and he beats his strike rate. To put that into perspective, Mike Procter was South Africa's most effective bowler with a wicket every 41 balls until Steyn, who takes one every 35. A spinner taking a wicket every 58 is surreal. And this is in Tests.
* meant to say "could be the making"
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