'Raise Hell' Bowler: Speed Demon Set to Dominate Cricket?!

Duncan Spencer. The name might not ring any bells for casual cricket fans, but mention it to players from the early 90s and you'll likely see eyes widen, followed by tales of raw, frightening pace. This is the story of the fastest bowler you've probably never heard of, a man who could have been an Ashes legend, but whose body simply couldn't keep up with his talent.

'Raise Hell' Bowler: Speed Demon Set to Dominate C...

Born in Lancashire, but raised in the sun-drenched pitches of Perth, Spencer was a bowling paradox: a potential weapon for either England or Australia, ultimately claimed by neither. Think about that for a second - the Ashes lost one of the greatest bowlers ever! And it's not just hyperbole. We're talking about a bloke who had Viv Richards, *the* Viv Richards, ranking him among the quickest he ever faced. Ricky Ponting? He apparently nearly came to blows with Spencer on the pitch, which tells you something about the intensity and, well, the intimidation factor.

Ryan Campbell, the Durham coach and a contemporary of Spencer's at Western Australia, put it bluntly: "ridiculously and frighteningly fast." Tom Moody, a name everyone recognizes, just said Spencer would "terrorise" batters. Strong words. And right now, with the Ashes in full swing, I can't help but wonder what could have been if Spencer's career hadn't been derailed.

I caught up with Spencer recently, at his home in Perth, just as England's bowlers were putting in their fastest day of bowling so far. He's 53 now, but you can still see the physique that allowed him to generate such extreme speed. He wasn't even that tall – maybe 5'8" – but his shoulders were massive, built for one purpose: unleashing hell on unsuspecting batsmen.

Interestingly, Spencer started out as a batter. His bowling was initially discouraged because, well, he was wild. But in one fateful end-of-season game, with all the regular bowlers unavailable, the 14-year-old Spencer got his chance. "It all just clicked," he remembers. And with that one performance, everything changed. From that point on, it was clear he was destined for something special, and he was quickly pushed into the Western Australian system. It's amazing how a single moment can change everything, isn't it?

But the warning signs were there early. Back problems plagued him, requiring his first operation at just 17. Despite the setbacks, his talent was undeniable. Daryl Foster, then head coach of Western Australia and Kent, snapped him up on a two-year deal at Canterbury when he found out about Spencer's British passport. The rawness, though, was evident. Forty-two no-balls in a single match against an England A team! Still, he managed to get Thorpe out, and that's something.

His time in England was short-lived. The cold, the county grind, it all took its toll. Spencer struggled to adapt, his body screaming in protest. He only played one County Championship match that summer, but it was enough to leave a lasting impression.