As a youngster, I was fanatical about cricket, and one cricketer in particular - David Gower.
My Mum was fully supportive of my obsession as she loved cricket too, so my whole family joined Leicestershire County Cricket Club (even though we lived in Berkshire) and my poor Dad was encouraged to drive us to games as often as possible. I remember lots of trips to Grace Road where we sat in the car waiting for the rain to stop, or froze outside. Warm days seemed to be rare!
One of my favourite memories though is of a Test Match when the sun shone all day. We went to see England play New Zealand at Lord's in the summer of 1983. Of course when we booked the tickets we had no idea whether England would be batting or fielding. But as luck would have it - we were there to see England bat, and David Gower scored 108. I remember sitting in my seat in the sunshine, watching my hero with his effortless style, and thinking that life really couldn't get much better! I was thirteen. I felt so proud of him and even my Dad (who used to call him "old woolly head" to wind me up) was delighted to have seen him score a century.
I have always loved Lord's Cricket Ground, and as an adult have been lucky enough to work in the new press box there, but it has never looked as beautiful and majestic as that day when Gower scored sixteen fours and I clapped until my hands were sore.
David Gower remained my hero for a number of years. I was the only girl in my school to have folders covered in pictures of a curly haired batsman, instead of Spandau Ballet or Duran Duran. And I met him twice. I played cricket too, and he signed my bat for me. Then as a junior reporter on my local newspaper I had to interview him when he played in a benefit match in Maidenhead. He was generous with his time, and kind - I think I was probably shaking with nerves. It must be very disappointing if your heroes turn out not to be very nice. But of course that was never going to be the case with David Gower.
Jane Prendergast
Memory added on January 11, 2013
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