George Lohmann

George Lohmann (born June 2, 1865; died December 1, 1901) is regarded as one the greatest bowlers of all time. Statistically, he holds the lowest lifetime test bowling average among bowlers with more than ten wickets.

Record-Breaking Feats Against Weak Oppositions

Returning to South Africa to maintain his health, Lohmann played no more first-class cricket until February, yet on the matting wickets in three "Tests" (the England eleven was no more than England "A" of today), Lohmann was so unplayable that he took 35 wickets for the remarkable average of just 5.80 runs each. During this series Lohmann twice broke the record for best analysis in Test cricket: he took 15 for 45 in the first Test, and, after not being put on initially in the second, he became the first bowler to take nine wickets in a Test innings.

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In 1896, Lohmann began to play for Surrey at the end of May, and, though he took 93 wickets and helped Richardson to put Australia out for 53 on a good wicket at Lord's, it was thought he had not come up to expectations, but he had a fully satisfactory benefit in the game against Yorkshire in August.

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A pay dispute, in which he demanded twice the existing 10-pound match fee given at the time to professional cricketers caused Lohmann, along with Billy Gunn to withdraw from the last Test match. He continued to play for Surrey that August, but at the end of the season his health again degenerated and he had to return to South Africa and retire from his English career for good.

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