Ray Lindwall

Verified Timeline

Lore & Background

Lindwall's journey began in Mascot, Sydney, where he overcame a difficult childhood after his mother died of pneumonia when he was seven. At age 11, he watched Harold Larwood bowl during the Bodyline series at the Sydney Cricket Ground, deciding then to emulate Larwood's smooth run-up and intimidating bouncers. His formal training started under Brother Aidan O'Keefe at Marist Brothers Kogarah, who taught him accuracy and variation. By age 14, he was scoring centuries in two matches on the same day. In late 1938, during a practice session at the SCG, he bowled four times to Jack Fingleton in just 15 minutes; when Fingleton dismissed his effort by saying 'I'm just off the boat,' Lindwall admitted it taught him to hate all batsmen. Under Bill O'Reilly's strict guidance at St. George, he transformed from an into-the-wind swing bowler into a fast bowler with a lengthened run-up, while being relegated low in the batting order.

In Their Own Story

The winter of 1942 saw Lindball and his brother Jack score every point for St. George's grand final team against Canterbury-Bankstown, but they lost 11–9 after a last-minute penalty goal. While rugby league flourished, war intervened in 1943; after being rejected by the RAAF due to exemption rules at his workplace, Lindwall resigned from Commercial Steel and Forge Company to join the Australian Army. Deployed to New Guinea as part of an Anti-aircraft and Fortress Signal unit during the Kokoda Trail crisis, he served until 1945. Returning to cricket, he made his Test debut against New Zealand in March 1946. His early Test career included a wayward first-class debut against Queensland where he conceded 81 runs for no wickets, but he soon found form. He became the spearhead of Australia's attack, forming a celebrated new-ball partnership with Keith Miller and playing a pivotal role in the 1948 Invincibles tour.

Reader's Guide

Lindwall made his first-class debut for New South Wales in 1941–42 while simultaneously playing fullback for St. George in the NSW Rugby Football League premiership. His career paused during World War II, but he returned to dominate with a smooth action that generated significant pace and swing. He is best known for his partnership with Keith Miller, which defined Australia's bowling attack. With the bat, he was a capable lower-order hitter, scoring two Test centuries. Lindwall retired from rugby league in 1946 to dedicate himself to cricket. His legacy includes induction into the Australian Cricket Hall of Fame in 1996, selection in the Team of the Century in 2000, and induction into the ICC Cricket Hall of Fame in 2009.

Did You Know?

• Lindwall scored 219 in one match and an unbeaten 110 in another on the same day at age 14.
• He served in the Australian Army in New Guinea from 1943 to 1945, deploying during the Japanese advance near Port Moresby.
• Lindwall played two grand finals for St. George in rugby league before quitting the sport in 1946.
• His mother died of pneumonia when he was seven, leaving his father unable to financially support all five children beyond school-leaving age.
• He made his Test debut against New Zealand in March 1946, having previously played first-grade rugby league as a fullback.