Born: Subiaco, WA
12 June, 1956
Terry Alderman plied the trade of swing bowling with devastating effect from his days at Aquinas College to his retirement from first-class cricket in 1993. A fast-medium pacer, either with the wind or into it, he was one of the most respected bowlers in the world during the 1980s.
A shoulder injury, suffered when he tackled a WACA Ground invader during the 1982 Perth Test, cost him nearly two seasons. He still claimed a record 433 wickets (four 10-wicket matches; 20 five-wicket hauls in an innings) in first class games for WA and from 41 tests, he bagged 170 wickets, with one 10-wicket match and 14 five-wicket hauls.
Alderman enjoyed two eye-catching debuts for WA, against NSW in Sydney in 1974-75, he collected 5-65 and for Australia, against England at Trent Bridge in 1981, he claimed 5-62.
In that 1981 series he took an unprecedented 42 wickets in the six Ashes Test, combining brilliantly with fellow Western Australian speedster Dennis Lillee, who captured 39 wickets. English conditions suited Alderman, with his ability to move the ball prodigiously through the air and off the wicket and he hounded England’s batsmen again in 1989, with 41 wickets.
Alderman played for English County sides Kent and Gloucestershire and his career record of 956 first-class wickets was the fourth-highest by an Australian. He also bowled with success in 35 limited overs games for WA and 65 for Australia.
After a stint as player-coach of WA in 1992-93, Alderman retired and took up a radio commentary role with the ABC.