Alan Connolly was an efficient fast bowler for Australia in the 1960s due to his persistent style of bowling which relied more on patience and accuracy than a bag of tricks. It didn't start like that for Connolly though, the Victorian emerged from the First-class circuit as a rollicking fast bowler who could deliver the ball at incredibly high speeds. However, as time went on, he realized his body better and mellowed down, both on pace as well as his action. This change didn't amuse those near him initially but down the line, they understood the significance of it. Connolly learnt to move the ball both ways, a skill that he mastered even with the older ball and that made him a skillful operator. He also added a few variations up his sleeve although they weren't jaw-dropping deliveries.

Connolly's start to international cricket happened in 1963 but it was only from 1967 that he became a regular in the Australian side. Having been a support bowler for a while, his biggest moments came in the 1969-70 season when he stepped onto the role of a spearhead, singlehandedly carrying the burden of the bowling with elan. His best performances came against England and South Africa, both of whom he relished playing against. Despite being on 31, he had to bid farewell from international cricket in 1971 after being dropped midway through the Ashes series at home. He instantly retired from all forms of the game at the end of that season. Connolly had phenomenal numbers in First-class cricket with over 650 wickets to his name. His success wasn't restricted to Australia's domestic scene alone, as his successful stint at Middlesex showed.

By Hariprasad Sadanandan