13 Facts About Hugh Tayfield

Hugh Joseph Tayfield was a South African international cricketer.

Hugh Tayfield played 37 Test matches for South Africa between 1949 and 1960 and was one of the best off spinners the game has seen.

Hugh Tayfield was the fastest South African to take 100 wickets in Tests until Dale Steyn claimed the record in March 2008.

Hugh Tayfield was named as one of the Wisden Cricketers of the Year in 1956.

Hugh Tayfield was known as 'Toey' due to his habit of stubbing his toes into the ground before every delivery.

Hugh Tayfield played in all five Tests and, on a sticky wicket at Durban, took seven wicket for 23 when Australia crashed from 31 for no wicket to 75 all out.

Hugh Tayfield claimed 30 wickets in the series, 13 of them at Melbourne, to secure South Africa's first win over Australia in 42 years.

Hugh Tayfield returned to England with more success in 1955, taking 143 wickets on the tour and 26 in the series including nine in South Africa's victory at Headingley.

Hugh Tayfield bowled over the wicket, close to the stumps, drifting the ball away from the bat in the air and then spinning it back through the gate.

Hugh Tayfield did not spin the ball as much as England's Jim Laker but was unerringly accurate and could bowl for long spells.

Hugh Tayfield set himself aggressive fields, in contrast to his steady bowling, with two silly mid ons for the snick prompted by a botched drive through the tempting hole he'd left at cover.

Hugh Tayfield took nine for 113 in the second innings of the Fourth Test at Johannesburg, bowling unchanged on the last day, and was carried off the field by his teammates.

Hugh Tayfield died in a hospital at Durban on 25 February 1994, at the age of 65.