Brief profile of Steve Barwick by Dr.A.K.Hignell

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Player:

SR Barwick

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The accuracy of Steve Barwick was a vital ingredient in Glamorgan`s one-day bowling attack in the late 1980`s and early 1990`s, and his miserly attitude to conceding runs was a key feature in Glamorgan securing the AXA League title in 1993.

 

In the opening game of that season Barwick returned career best one-day figures of 6-28 against Derbyshire. Throughout the summer, Barwick`s subtle off-cutters and change of pace teased and tormented many of the finest batsmen on the county circuit. Some writers even suggested that the England selectors could do far worse than selecting Barwick in their side for One Day Internationals.

 

Barwick had made his county debut in 1981 as a fast-medium seam bowler and two years later took Championship best figures of 8-42 against Worcestershire at the New Road ground. He subsequently became a regular member of the county`s seam attack, and `Basil` was awarded his county cap in 1987.

 

In the early 1990`s, he successfully changed styles and concentrated on off-cutters - in the style of the legendary Don Shepherd. Few other bowlers were bowling in this style in the Championship or one-day games, and so highly was Barwick regarded, that some players for other counties announced to their captains that they were going to experiment by bowling `basils`!

 

Towards the end of his career, Barwick`s appearances were restricted to one-day games, as the Glamorgan captains opted for more wicket-taking bowlers in Championship cricket. Despite his infrequent appearances, Barwick remained one of the country`s most economical bowlers in limited overs games. He took a well deserved Benefit in 1995, and was released from the staff at the end of the 1996 season.

 

(December 2003)

(Article: Copyright © 2003 Dr.A.K.Hignell)