Background
Adcock was born on 8 March 1931 in Sea Point, Cape Town.
Adcock was born on 8 March 1931 in Sea Point, Cape Town.
A tall aggressive fast bowler, he could lift the ball sharply off a length. He was the first South African fast bowler to take 100 Test wickets. He made his Test debut in 1953 at home against New Zealand, after only nine first-class games.
He finished the series with 24 wickets, including 8 for 87 in his second Test (total for both innings).
Adcock was one of the five Wisden Cricketers of the Year in 1961. The previous year in South Africa"s tour of England he took 26 wickets in the Tests and 108 wickets in total at an average of 14.
In doing so he became the only fast bowler to take more than 100 wickets in a tour of England. After retiring from cricket he became a radio commentator and worked in the travel industry.