Paul Adams: Cricketer Or Contortionist?

Former South Africa left-arm chinaman bowler Paul Adams, who was born on 20 January 1977 at Cape Town, became his country's youngest Test cricketer on 26 December 1995 when he
made his debut against England in Port Elizabeth at the age of 18 years and 340 days. Adams' bowling action was highly unorthodox and Mike Gatting likened it to a "frog in a blender". Though his action initially caught batsmen by surprise, he was soon exposed for lack of variety and quietly slid out of the reckoning. Adams took 134 wickets from 45
Test matches and 29 wickets from 24 ODIs.

South Africa's spin bowler Paul Adams shows his unique action on day two of the first cricket test played against New Zealand at Westpac Park in Hamilton, New Zealand, Thursday, March 11th, 2004.

South African bowler Paul Adams bowling against England in Kimberley, South Africa, 9th 12th November 1995.

 

29 Feb 1996: Paul Adams of South Africa bowls during the World Cup Group B game against Pakistan at the National Stadium in Karachi, Pakistan.

Paul Adams of South Africa practises bowling during South Africa's nets practise at Lords Cricket Ground on July 30, 2003 in London, England. 17 Aug 2000: Paul Adams of South Africa, bowling in the nets, during training for the Super Challenge 2000 between Australia and South Africa at Colonial Stadium in Melbourne, Australia. 26 Apr 2001: Paul Adams poses outside the Bob Marley museum in Kingston Jamaica during the South African tour to the West Indies. Paul Adams of South Africa helps a team mate stretch during the South Africa nets session on June 24, 2003 at New Road, Worcester, England. Paul Adams of South Africa (R) congratulates Mark Boucher of South Africa after stumping Andrew Flintoff of England to end the match during the fourth day of the second npower test match between England and South Africa on August 3, 2003 at Lords Cricket Ground in London. Paul Adams (2nd from R) and Shaun Pollock (R) of South Africa hug as they leave the field after they bowl England out during the second day of the third npower test match between England and South Africa at Trent Bridge on August 15, 2003 in Nottingham, England. Paul Adams of South Africa gets treatment on his shoulder after he was hit by the ball during South Africa training for the 5th npower Test match between England and South Africa at The AMP Oval on September 2, 2003 in London, England. Paul Adams of South Africa bowls during the first day of the second Npower test match between England and South Africa on July 31, 2003 at Lords Cricket Ground in London, England. South Africa's Paul Adams celebrates his LBW of New Zealand captain Stephen Fleming, out for 27 runs on day two of the first cricket test played at Westpac Park in Hamilton, New Zealand, Thursday, March 11th, 2004. AUCKLAND, NEW ZEALAND - MARCH 01: South African spinner Paul Adams demonstartes his unusual style against New Zealand. AUCKLAND, NEW ZEALAND - MARCH 03: South Africa's Paul Adams dives to stop a ball against New Zealand on the final day of the first test at Eden Park, Auckland.