Franklyn Stephenson Reflects on Bowling
Franklyn Stephenson’s hearty laughter echoes through the phone. “You know what’s toughest about bowling that ball? I couldn’t stop giggling when I saw how the batsmen reacted! They were jabbing and ducking everywhere, most of them had no idea!”
The Art of Deceptive Bowling
From cricket’s early days, bowlers have confounded batters with clever variations in speed. Imagine those old-fashioned tricksters, dressed in flannel and sporting moustaches, throwing a mix of lofty lobs and sneaky low deliveries, causing chaos in the English landscape.
Legacy of Bill Lockwood
Fast forward a couple of centuries, and Bill Lockwood, a bowler from Surrey and England, was known for his “sinful deceit” with a slower ball. Esteemed by Wisden’s Almanack as one of the first great fast bowlers, Lockwood managed to deliver his slower ball without altering his action. This consistency is vital for deceiving batsmen, as Stephenson agrees.
The Moon Ball’s Inception
Now in his mid-60s and running a cricket academy in Barbados, the former Nottinghamshire and Sussex all-rounder is recognized as a pioneer of the slower ball. He first crafted his “moon ball” during the 1980s while playing in the Lancashire League.
Mastering the Delivery
After feeling fatigued during a net session, Stephenson switched back to off-spin, but was frustrated when batsmen began hitting him. This prompted him to occasionally mix in a faster ball with his off-spin delivery. The “moon ball” arose from that innovation.
The Evolution of Slower Balls
After refining the technique in club cricket, Stephenson introduced it to the county circuit. In 1988, he took 125 wickets for Nottinghamshire, with “at least 25” from his iconic slower ball. The rise of shorter formats, especially Twenty20, has led bowlers to develop a variety of slower deliveries to compete against powerful bats and shorter boundaries.
Strategic Use of Slower Balls
Recently, Sam Curran has gained recognition for his skills with slower balls. He discussed his strategies with Stuart Broad, emphasizing creativity and the element of surprise. Curran can significantly drop his speed, delivering moon balls at 40mph compared to his usual 80mph. However, he acknowledges that these deliveries can be hit as well.
Concluding Thoughts
As Stephenson reminisces about the art of the slower ball, he concludes, “There’s nothing quite like outsmarting a batter, especially when done in slow motion so their embarrassment feels eternal.” The call ends with a moment of silence before his deep laughter fills the space once more.
