Adcock did not have much support as some of the other South African bowlers, but he still took over 100 Test wickets and was the first fast bowler to do so from his country. He was the spearhead of attack from 1953-62 and averaged only 21 in the 26 Test matches that he played.

Adcock showed his class in only his second game, he took 8 for 87 in the match against New Zealand and finished the series with 24 wickets. The defining moment in his career came on the tour of England in 1960, Adcock scalped 26 wickets and was the standout even though South Africa lost the series 3-0. Wisden recognised that performance and named in as one of the five cricketers in 1961.

After hanging up his boots in 1962, Adcock became a radio commentator and worked in the travel industry. He passed away in 2013, leaving behind his wife Maureen, children from his first marriage to Diana Adcock, daughter Susan Dance, his son Alan and three grandchildren.


by Akshay Maanay
As of May 2014