Home
Change
category
"

Rob Wheatman: a spectacular but cowardly fielding fluke

Whilst on tour of the Western Cape in 1993 with my school side (Denstone College, Staffordshire) I enjoyed many aspects of the trip, not least opening the bowling at the test match ground, Newlands.

It wasn’t this fond memory that leaps out at me however, but more of an act of cowardice!

Whilst playing one of the local schools in Cape Town, my captain and former Essex & Leicestershire off spinner Tim Mason was bowling and may I add, tying the batsmen down nicely.

I was at deep mid on to the right hander who was becoming increasingly frustrated.

Expecting the ball to come to me at any moment following a heave over ‘cow corner’ I did not have to wait long.

As I walked in I saw the batsman make a few stumbling steps down the track, and with one heave of the willow, he mistimed his shot, but certainly middled it, as the ball sped to me at a phenomenal rate, low and flat.

Fearing for my own safety, I delayed getting in line with the ball, and eventually opted for the less painful option of going the ‘wrong way’ and stumbling; which I did most convincingly whilst stretching my right hand out in a vain attempt to look like I was making some effort.

I recall the ball fizzing through the air as it got closer, and as I fell, the leather hit the palm of my hand with a thud that echoed around the ground. 

I remember using my ‘fall’ as the start of the celebration, throwing the ball high into the blue skies and running toward my team mates for the hugs of adulation! A classic one handed catch whilst trying to avoid any contact whatsoever!

Memory added on July 4, 2021

Comments

No comments have yet been added to this memory.

Add a comment

Mark as favourite