Fred Trueman became the first bowler in Test history to take 300 wickets — getting Neil Hawke caught behind at The Oval in the 1964 Ashes. On being told he was the first, Trueman's response: 'I hope that whoever does it next gets as much pleasure from it as I have.'
Fred Trueman was England's greatest post-war fast bowler — aggressive, hostile, proudly Yorkshire, and utterly committed to bowling fast. By 1964 he was 33 and in the latter stages of his career. 300 Test wickets was a number that had never been reached.
Trueman entered the 1964 Ashes final Test needing a handful of wickets to reach 300. The target had been discussed throughout the summer. The Oval match was his last Test.
When Trueman had Hawke caught behind by Jim Parks, he had his 300th wicket. The ground applauded. Trueman raised his fist. He was 33 years and 3 months old — the first man in Test history to 300.
When asked afterward whether he had set out to be the first to 300, Trueman reportedly said: 'I didn't know it would be such a problem.' And when told how many people had since reached 300 and beyond, he added: 'I hope that whoever does it next gets as much pleasure from it as I have.'
Trueman retired with 307 wickets. He took more Test wickets than any Englishman before him, and the record was not passed until Bob Willis in the 1980s.
Hawke caught behind by Parks — Trueman's 300th wicket
The ground acknowledging history — first bowler to 300
Trueman's matter-of-fact response to the milestone
1952
Trueman's Test debut — takes 8 wickets in his first Test
August 14, 1964
The Oval — Hawke caught behind, 300th wicket
Retirement, 1965
307 wickets — most by an Englishman at retirement
Trueman played no more Tests after 1964. He had a long career as a broadcaster and commentator, famous for his phrase 'I don't know what's going off out there.' Lance Gibbs (309), Kapil Dev (434), Richard Hadlee (431), and eventually the modern spinners all surpassed his mark.
Fred Trueman's 300th wicket was cricket's equivalent of Roger Bannister's four-minute mile — the first time a number that seemed impossibly large had been reached. He arrived at it with the gruff Yorkshire directness that defined his entire personality.
300 Test wickets is now the standard benchmark for great bowling careers. Over 30 bowlers have passed it. Trueman was the first. His response to the achievement — entirely matter-of-fact — was cricket in its purest Yorkshire form.
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