Cricket book to bounce off the shelves
ILLOVO – SA's greatest bowlers are acknowledged in a book by Ali Bacher and David Williams.
Cricket legends from around the world showed their support at the launch of a special book written by former South Africa Test captain Dr Ali Bacher and journalist David Williams.
The likes of Michael Holding, Makhaya Ntini, Vernon Philander, Fanie de Villiers and Michael Atherton filled the Long Room at the Imperial Wanderers Stadium on 22 January for the launch of South Africa’s Greatest Bowlers: Past and Present.
This is the third book by the pair after their titles on SA’s best batsmen and all-rounders.
Williams described his partnership with Bacher as efficient. “The selection [of the greatest bowlers] was guided by personal experience of Ali,” Williams said.
“The system was he would go speak to them, as he recorded them he would make a few notes… and then he would give them to me. I would then work it in, Andrew Sampson would provide the stats and so on.”
In between Bacher’s anecdotes at the book launch, bowlers sang the pair’s praises on stage.
“Well Ali, I wish you all the best for this book,” said West Indian cricket legend, Michael Holding, who wrote the foreword.
“I know the great fast bowlers who are in this book are very happy that you have recognised them. There are a couple spinners as well… I found it very interesting, especially some of the stories behind some of the cricketers.”
South African greats De Villiers and Ntini said they felt proud to be acknowledged in the book.
“I really hope that the ripple effect of this book develops a lot of young fast bowlers,” De Villiers said.
“I have got my son here and he has obviously seen some guys who are in the book… South Africa has been proud to generate a lot of fast bowlers over the years and may we continue.”
Ntini added, “[The book] tells that we are important, that we have done so much for the country. Being part of the fast bowlers of South Africa, it means a lot.”
The pair said they have no immediate plans for another book.
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