This was my debut game, but to put it into context we have to go back some 8 to 10 years earlier.
My Dad took me to Lords to see England play the West Indies. All the greats were playing and that was the day I got hooked on the game. My heroes were playing: Cowdrey, Dexter, Snow and so on. Cowdrey had his arm or wrist I believe broken fending off a Wes Hall bouncer and the atmosphere in the ground was electric. I left absolutely buzzing.
Fast forward 10 years and I found myself making my debut for Sussex playing with and against my heroes. We batted second and as I walked out to bat I was greeted by Colin Cowdrey with his hand outstretched, wishing me well on my debut. I was awestruck. Ten minutes earlier I had had to pull my shirt sleeves down so that nobody could see my arms were shaking!
I took guard to the last ball of the over from Bernard Julien, West Indies fast bowler. I got rapped on the pad straight in front. I didn't know whether to look up, cry or just stand there. My decision was to look up. Charlie Elliott was the Umpire, Greggy was standing next to him. (I had previously spent a week away pre-season tour in Germany with the Cricketers' Club of London and Charlie Elliott had been our travelling umpire. I got on extremely well with him.) He looked straight down the wicket and said, “Not out” and I swear to God I saw a wink! Greggy walks down and I say to him, “That must have been close? He looked me in the eye and said, “I think you nicked it!" and smiled.
After that I got a few runs and was mentioned in dispatches by Jim Laker in the after-match presentations. I'd roomed with John Barclay the night before the match and his excitement for me made me a nervous wreck! A great friend. I still have the match score card somewhere and to play with and against heroes was just an unbelievable day. I think, to my memory, there must have been on that field at least ten internationals.
Great day. Great memories.
Memory added on December 14, 2020
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