10: Majid Khan
The Pakistani’s career was already well established when he exploded into my consciousness in 1974. I think I was at my Nanna’s house one August day when Dad and I were watching an ODI against England. Majid Khan was blazing a century at a pace almost unknown in those days. I was an instant fan. Sadly he had few opportunities to play international one-day cricket although he was a brilliant batsman to watch in the first-class game, too. He was undoubtedly a superior strokemaker to his cousin Imran but of course not quite up to his bowling standard. Majid also graced Glamorgan for a few years in the Seventies, consistently one of the best in the county game. What I particularly liked about him was his old-school attitude. He would think nothing of ‘walking’, and had the serenity to defy the feared West Indian pace attack on their own territory while retaining a sense of style.
9: Sunil Gavaskar
Another
hero of mine from the 1970s was Sunil Gavaskar. There was something noble about
such a short batsman ducking and weaving against the world’s fastest bowlers
and to this day nobody has beaten his aggregate of 774 in a Test series against
West Indies. He could be frustratingly slow, as illustrated by his notorious 36
not out for India in a 60-over World Cup innings but in the Test match arena,
he was the greatest batsman of his era, able to defend stolidly then hook a
bouncer with ease.
‘Sunny’ rewrote the record books many times, becoming the first man to play a hundred consecutive Tests, score 10,000 Test runs, and setting the bar for centuries at 34, which lasted for almost two decades until his famed successor Tendulkar zoomed past. Gavaskar managed just one season in county cricket (for Somerset!) but my abiding memory is of his wonderful last day 221 at The Oval in 1979 which so nearly earned India a sensational victory. Chasing a target of 438, stumps were drawn at 429-8, ending an absorbing day’s play. Having willed him to succeed I was left emotionally drained. He was an inspiration.
8: Sarfraz Nawaz
A
contemporary of both Majid and Gavaskar, Sarfraz Nawaz was a very different
kettle of fish. At six feet six he was unusually tall for the sport in those
days but he was nowhere near as quick as Thomson, Holding, Garner et al. I
recall trying to copy his short, shuffling stride, which deceived so many
batsmen. He was a stalwart of the Northamptonshire attack for many years, an
almost alien presence with his height, moustache and consistent success with
the ball.
What he lacked in pace he gained in skill, a pioneer of reverse swing which influenced fellow Pakistan legends such as Imran or Waqar Younis. Like Stuart Broad, for instance, he could be distinctly average, then produced devastating bursts. His 7-4 in 33 balls to turn the tables on Australia in 1979 at the MCG was astounding, and his bowling was decisive in Pakistan’s first series win over India. He wasn’t always a gentleman on the pitch and in retirement was often outspoken about issues such as match-fixing: a better cricketer than politician!
7: Sarah Taylor
On
the face of it, perhaps an unexpected choice for a top-ten position, but Sarah
Taylor epitomises the importance of personality and enjoyment of playing
cricket that seems rare in this modern world of millionaire contracts and
hard-nosed professionalism. She first made her mark for England as a 16 year-old
and, as women’s cricket boosted its profile, Taylor was undoubtedly one of the
world’s shiniest stars. She became the first woman to play men’s grade cricket
in Australia and has contributed to assorted record ODI partnerships, in the
process exhibiting some flamboyant strokeplay. She also demonstrates the
tidiest, most athletic wicketkeeping standing up of anyone I can recall, of any
gender.
However, when I first watched women’s cricket on the telly, Sarah stood out for her sunny disposition on the pitch. Instead of snarling sledging she could be heard bantering with colleagues, always bright as a button. For instance, I was at Cardiff enjoying an Ashes T20 when she was forced to make an acrobatic catch from an over-enthusiastic Katherine Brunt throw. Even from my seat I noted her exaggerated glare towards the fielder before her face exploded into a smile. You don’t get that from Jonny Bairstow! She was probably the last person I'd expect to have her career curtailed by anxiety issues, but her first time-out was announced in 2015. This speaks volumes for the horrors of mental illness as well as the character of Sarah Taylor.
6: Peter Trego
In
May 2019 I was at Lord’s to witness Somerset’s One Day Cup triumph. Tom Abell
lifted the trophy but nobody looked more delighted to have won than Peter
Trego. The all-rounder had been an integral part of Somerset in all
competitions for so long, with little silverware to show for it so he could be
forgiven for hurrying around the entire boundary clasping every outstretched
hand, including mine. It was the highlight of my day.
Whilst
Tregs hasn’t represented his home county throughout his career, it was still a
shock when, last season, having limited opportunities in our First XI, he
transferred to Nottinghamshire. At 39, he has nonetheless done a cracking job with
the ball in the four-day Bob Willis Trophy, and I don’t begrudge him one bit.
He was probably the first sportsman I observed wearing an ugly ‘sleeve’ tattoo
but I much preferred watching his energetic fast-medium bowling and wide smile
as he crashed another T20 ball into the Taunton crowd. He probably peaked too
late for England selectors but he will always be a West Country folk hero - and
mine.
