West Indies Players - Charlie Griffith

Born in Pie Corner, Barbados on December 14th, 1938,returns as well. To demonstrate this, Griffith scalped 59
Charles (Charlie) Christopher Griffith was no piewickets in his first 14 Tests and only 35 in his next 14
thrower, but the lesser partner in the Hall-and-Griffithmatches.
new-ball partnership. According to Cricinfo's MartinGriffith made his Test debut for the West Indies
Williamson, "Charlie Griffith struck fear into oppositionagainst England at Port of Spain in 1960. He ended his
batsmen in the 1960s. Whereas Hall was ancareer against New Zealand at Christchurch in 1969.
out-and-out quick, Griffith was slower, but heDuring his nine years of international cricket, Charlie
possessed a lethal faster ball which many wereplayed 28 Test matches, taking 94 wickets at an
unhappy with." One of Griffith's lethal deliveriesaverage of 28.54. His best innings bowling figures of 6
fractured the skull of Indian batsman, Nari Contractor, in36 came against England at Leeds in 1963. His best
1963.match figures of 9/81 at Test level came in that very
While Charlie Griffith was not as successful as hismatch as well. Griffith took 5-wickets in a Test innings
compatriot, Wes Hall, he left an indelible mark in cricketon five occasions, with four 5-wicket hauls against
history- albeit under questionable circumstances. HeEngland and one against Australia.
was a feared fast bowler, yes, but many question theIn 1963, Griffith had an amazing year, capturing 32 Test
legality of his bowling action. Fans and players oftenscalps from only five Test matches, to earn the
suspected that Griffith "threw" his faster deliveries (asWisden Cricketer of the Year award in 1964. It is
opposed to pies). In the 1960s, the television coverageinteresting to note that he played most of his Tests
of players was not as precise as it is now, but theagainst England and Australia. Outside of those two,
suspicions lingered until Griffith remodelled his action.he played India thrice and New Zealand twice.
Unfortunately, he negatively remodelled his bowling