| Picture a quickly accelerating run-up that culminates | | | | in 1980. |
| with a contortion of limbs. Within a split second, a red | | | | Retaliating to being harassed and pelted by Pakistan's |
| leather ball is hurled at you in excess of 85 miles per | | | | supporters when he fielded near the boundary, |
| hour, typically with unsettling bounce. Facing the late | | | | Clarke tossed a brick- used as a boundary marker- |
| West Indian fast bowler Sylvester Clarke was even | | | | into the crowd. His thoughtless action seriously injured |
| worse than that, according to his opponents. | | | | a 22-year old student and is still recounted- decades |
| Born on the island of Barbados in December of 1954, | | | | later. To his credit, Clarke visited the injured student |
| Sylvester Clarke started playing First-class cricket | | | | at hospital and apologised for his action. |
| relatively late- at the age of 23. Standing at a decent | | | | With an abbreviated international career, Clarke really |
| height of 6'2", he was a genuinely fast bowler who | | | | made his mark playing professionally in South Africa |
| combined steep bounce and fearsome pace from a | | | | and England. In addition to Barbados and the West |
| decidedly awkward action. Defections of key players | | | | Indies, he played for Surrey, Transvaal, Northern |
| from the West Indies Test team fast-tracked him | | | | Transvaal and Orange Free State. His nine seasons |
| into Test cricket in 1978. | | | | with Surrey in the English County were particularly |
| While Clarke performed well on debut- taking six | | | | impressive. He was one of twenty Surrey legends |
| wickets against Australia- he was unfortunate to play | | | | who were honoured by the County in 2005. |
| at the time when West Indian fast bowling was at | | | | In his autobiography, Steve Waugh underscored the |
| its peak. The return of first-choice West Indian fast | | | | threat of Sylvester Clarke- having faced him in an |
| bowlers and his decision to play in South Africa limited | | | | English County game. "Pace and bounce of the kind |
| his Test match appearances to just 11. | | | | Clarke could muster is something you can't prepare |
| Clarke's international career-span was limited to just | | | | for. It's an assault both physically and mentally and |
| six years. From 11 Tests, Clarke reaped 42 wickets | | | | the moment you weaken and think about what |
| at a good average of 27.85. He only played ten | | | | might happen, you're either out or injured..." Waugh |
| one-day internationals though. Although his Test | | | | reckoned. Many of the 942 first-class wickets that |
| returns were good, Clarke is most remembered for | | | | Clarke prised out were likely the result of |
| an incident in a Test match against Pakistan at Multan | | | | self-preservation. |