Biography

Going by his appearance Ian Bishop looks no less than a gentle clergyman but with the red cherry in his hand, he was one of the most menacing fast bowlers in the history of cricket.

Rated by many as the finest fast bowlers in his prime, few were faster and more destructive on batting line-ups than Bishop. The Belmont-born pacer stepped into the international cricket arena in 1988, in an ODI against England, picking up 2 wickets on debut. In the following year, he made his Test debut against India. Bowling at a menacing pace around 95 miles an hour from a very early age took a toll on him. In 1991, after suffering stress fractures in his back he was forced to change his action, from an orthodox side-on to a more front-on. The change barely affected the giant’s pace and the legendary away swing.

By the time he was 26, the recurring back injury took its toll again, following which he lost much of his potency with the ball. From the 43 matches he played, he mustered 161 wickets at a commendable average of 24.27. Finally, Bishop ended his injury plagued career in a Test in 1998, against England.