Having kept wicket for the University 2nd XI for two seasons, I was given my chance to play for the full University side during the exam period in June 1977. Four of us from the 2nd XI (including my good friend David MacVicar) were to stand in for regulars who were sitting exams.
Glamorgan batted first, and although we took two early wickets I had to wait almost until tea for my first ‘victim’. To my delight it was ‘c Littlewood b MacVicar’, which would now, and forever, be a dismissal in First Class cricket.
In response to Glamorgan’s 339 for 7 dec, we replied with 423 for 7 dec built around a hard-hitting century from our captain Hignell, who declared just as I was about to walk to the wicket. Glamorgan cleared the deficit for the loss of only one wicket, and as a draw seemed inevitable they batted out the game, denying the University a second innings (and me the chance of a first).
Back in the pavilion I was handed an official-looking form which had to be filled-in by all First Class cricketers. I duly entered my full name, date of birth and school; wrote ‘not applicable’ in the box asking what type of bowler I was; and then came to the batting section: Was I right or left handed? This was my very first game, probably my only game that season, and possibly my only ever First Class game. I resisted the temptation to answer the question with ‘BOTH’ or ‘NEITHER’, so instead answered with the non-committal ‘TO BE DECIDED’. I often wonder whose job it was to process those forms.
Memory added on February 11, 2021
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