The aggressive, attacking nature of the play had revolutionized Test cricket in the persona of affectionately known “Fearless Freddo” Roy Fredericks.
Born on November 11, 1942, as a West Indian left-handed opener, he was noted for confident line-ups against the world’s best bowlers.
Openers in his time typically played a cautious game, but Fredericks was very different by charging from the very first ball. He was an innovator for a style of aggressive cricket that has now become mainstream.
| Statistic |
Value |
| Matches Played |
59 |
| Total Runs |
3,481 |
| Batting Average |
42.49 |
| Notable Tour |
1976 England (517 runs) |
A Classic Innings at Perth
He was spending his most courageous batting in 1975-76 when, at the WACA Ground, Perth, he went up against the fearsome pace attack of Dennis Lillee and Jeff Thomson, two of the fastest bowlers of the time.
On a lightning-fast pitch notorious for its bounce and pace, Fredericks conjured up an innings of 169 off 145 balls.
It was an innings that had 27 fours and a six and is generally regarded as one of the most brazen innings in Test history.
Batting against bowlers who intimidated most others, Fredericks took the attack to them, dispatching deliveries to all parts of the ground.
He proved his excellence in that match, not only by brilliance of skill but also by showing the gut and intent for an aggressive game of cricket.
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Success and Legacy
Small in stature, standing at 5 feet 6 inches tall, he was a mighty force on the ground.
He played 59 Tests, scoring 3,481 runs at a majestic average of 42.49.
Moving on to the 1976 tour of England, he put up a fantastic show after the Perth Test, scoring 517 runs across five Tests, which stayed in the minds of English fans as well as the bowling fraternity.
He retired from international cricket in 1977 after a memorable 83 against Pakistan. He later became the sports minister of his native Guyana and helped give a boost to the sport he loved.
Hero Remembered
Roy Fredericks died of cancer in 2000, but his legacy lives on.
His style paved the way for generations of batsmen who embraced that similar style, from Virender Sehwag to David Warner.
But now Fredericks is remembered not only as a master of the game but as one of the first proponents of that explosive style that would later transform cricket.
Fearless Freddo’s innings at Perth remains a great reminder of the thrill and beauty of attacking cricket.
Reference: ESPN
