Former Australia Test cricketer, John Gleeson passes away aged 78

John Gleeson, the former Australian Test spinner, has passed away aged 78 in Tamworth, northern New South Wales on Saturday (October 7). Gleeson played 29 Tests for his country from 1967 to 1972 and took 93 wickets at an average of 36.20. In his prime, the 'mystery spinner' befuddled the opposition ranks with his "bent finger" grip. Gleeson came into limelight when he bagged 23 wickets

in six Sheffield Shield matches at an average of 22.21 in the 1966-67 season, which helped him to make his Test debut against India in Adelaide in 1967.

In the five-match Test series against West Indies in 1968-69, he took five-fers in consecutive Tests in Brisbane and Melbourne. He also snared a five-wicket haul against the formidable South African batting line-up, comprising of Graeme Pollock, Barry Richards and Co. in the third Test at the Wanderers in 1970.

Gleeson partook in a few more Tests against England, but by then, batsmen were able to negate his threat and soon Gleeson faded away from the scene.

"He's sadly passed away in the Tamworth hospital, aged 78," Ian Chappell, Australia's former Test captain said during Nine Wide World of Sports's Matador Cup coverage. "The folded finger-spinner they called him," he added.

"He came from Tamworth, started out his cricket life as a wicketkeeper and he fiddled around flicking these balls I think he started with a table tennis ball, and developed into a very fine finger spinner. I spoke to him the other day, he'd come to grips with his situation and his last words were to me, 'Don't fret, mate, I'm in good shape'.

Gleeson also played 116 first-class matches and took 430 wickets at an average of 24.95.