West Indies Players - Charlie Griffith

Born in Pie Corner, Barbados on December 14th, 1938, Charles (Charlie) Christopher Griffith was no pie thrower, but the lesser partner in the Hall-and-Griffith new-ball partnership. According to Cricinfo's Martin Williamson, "Charlie Griffith struck fear into opposition batsmen in the 1960s. Whereas Hall was an out-and-out quick, Griffith was slower, but he possessed a lethal faster ball which many were unhappy with." One of Griffith's lethal deliveries fractured the skull of Indian batsman, Nari Contractor, in 1963.

While Charlie Griffith was not as flourishing as his compatriot, Wes Hall, he left an indelible mark in cricket history- albeit under questionable circumstances. He was a feared fast bowler, yes, but many interrogate the legality of his bowling action. Fans and players often suspected that Griffith "threw" his faster deliveries (as opposed to pies). In the 1960s, the television coverage of players was not as exact as it is now, but the suspicions lingered until Griffith remodelled his action. Unfortunately, he negatively remodelled his bowling returns as well. To demonstrate this, Griffith scalped 59 wickets in his first 14 Tests and only 35 in his next 14 matches.

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Griffith made his Test debut for the West Indies against England at Port of Spain in 1960. He ended his work against New Zealand at Christchurch in 1969. During his nine years of international cricket, Charlie played 28 Test matches, taking 94 wickets at an midpoint of 28.54. His best innings bowling figures of 6/36 came against England at Leeds in 1963. His best match figures of 9/81 at Test level came in that very match as well. Griffith took 5-wickets in a Test innings on five occasions, with four 5-wicket hauls against England and one against Australia.

In 1963, Griffith had an astounding year, capturing 32 Test scalps from only five Test matches, to earn the Wisden Cricketer of the Year award in 1964. It is spicy to note that he played most of his Tests against England and Australia. Outside of those two, he played India thrice and New Zealand twice.

Charlie Griffith is considered a 'great' of West Indies cricket by his reputation as a feared fast bowler and because of his efficient partnership with Wes Hall in the 60s. Accusations of throwing diminished his impact and tarnished his reputation somewhat. Charlie never played First class cricket for teams other than the W.I. And Barbados, likely because of the suspicions of "throwing." however he remains one of the icons of Caribbean cricket.

West Indies Players - Charlie Griffith

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