Derek Randall

Last updated

Derek Randall
Derek Randall 1990 (cropped).jpg
Randall in 1990
Personal information
Full name
Derek William Randall
Born (1951-02-24) 24 February 1951 (age 73)
Retford, Nottinghamshire, England
BattingRight-handed
BowlingRight-arm medium
International information
National side
Test debut(cap  472)1 January 1977 v  India
Last Test14 June 1984 v  West Indies
ODI debut(cap  37)28 August 1976 v  West Indies
Last ODI24 March 1985 v  Australia
Domestic team information
YearsTeam
Men's Cricket
Representing Flag of England.svg  England
ICC Cricket World Cup
Runner-up 1979 England
Source: ESPNcricinfo, 23 August 2020

Derek William Randall (born 24 February 1951) [1] is an English former cricketer, who played first-class cricket for Nottinghamshire, and Tests and ODIs for England in the late 1970s and early 1980s. He was a part of the English squad that finished as runners-up at the 1979 Cricket World Cup.

Contents

Known to cricketing colleagues and fans as "Arkle" after the racehorse, but always "Rags" to himself, [2] he was one of the Wisden Cricketers of the Year in 1980. [1] The cricket writer Colin Bateman said, "The Retford imp was, and still is, one of the most fondly admired figures in the game ... the rolling gait and big sad eyes make him Chaplinesque – and like all clowns, there is pathos behind the public image ... At times, genius sat on Randall's shoulders – the only trouble was it would not stop fidgeting". [1] Randall played 47 Tests and 49 One Day International matches for England as a right-handed batsman before retiring to become a coach and cricket writer.

First-class career

Randall first came to note as a cover fielder, as one-day cricket forced fielding standards to improve. His run out of Gordon Greenidge in the 1979 Cricket World Cup final highlighted this, and his partnership with David Gower was a feature of the successful England team of the immediate era after Kerry Packer had announced the onset of World Series Cricket. Known for his eccentric movement at the crease, Randall was a determined batsman, specialising in hooks, pulls, cuts and cover drives, the first being used most memorably against Dennis Lillee in the Centenary Test in Melbourne in 1977 when he made 174, the highest Test score by any Nottinghamshire batsman playing for England in the history of Test cricket (a record Randall held until Tim Robinson made an innings one run higher at Headingley against Australia in 1985). [1]

After learning his cricket at Retford Cricket Club, Randall made his Nottinghamshire second XI debut in 1969, and his first-class debut against Essex at the end of May 1972, scoring 78 from number eight in the batting order, joint top-scoring with captain Brian Bolus, with the next highest score being Garry Sobers' 32. [3] He won plaudits for his talent in the covers, won his Nottinghamshire cap in 1973 and went on to score 28,456 runs in all first-class cricket. Randall batted for the successful Nottinghamshire team of the 1980s, twice winning the County Championship in 1981 and 1987.

With his team needing eighteen to win from the final over of the 1985 NatWest Trophy final, he hit sixteen from the first five balls, only to be caught in the outfield from the final delivery. He did finish on the winning side in the final of the same tournament two years later, and in the final of the Benson and Hedges Cup in 1989.

He compiled fifty-two hundreds in all, and made 209 and 146 in the same game against Middlesex in 1979, [4] a feat unequalled at Trent Bridge. [1] He scored 1,000 runs in a season eight times, took 361 catches and 13 wickets at 31.00. He was popular with the crowds, who found his enthusiastic fielding and comic antics entertaining. He was famous for running, rather than walking, towards the batsman in the covers as the bowler delivered the ball and was responsible for many run-outs.

He retired from first-class cricket in 1993, appearing that year in a testimonial match for an England XI against an Australian XI at Nottingham, a match featuring many players whom he played with and against in Ashes cricket (including in the Centenary Test). The match ended in a tie. [5] Later he turned out in Minor Counties cricket for Suffolk, playing in the NatWest Trophy at the age of 49, and in a match for "Old Suffolk" in 2004.

International career

Randall made his one-day international debut against West Indies in 1976, and his Test debut in India a few months later. He made his first Test century during the Centenary Test, his fifth test at Melbourne. Randall here scored his highest test score, 174, against an Australian attack led by Dennis Lillee. [6] He famously doffed his cap to Lillee, after narrowly evading a savage bouncer, stating, "No point in hitting me there, mate, there's nothing in it." [1] When finally dismissed he left the ground by the wrong gate, and found himself climbing up towards the Royal enclosure where Queen Elizabeth II was watching the day's play. "She was very nice about it", he told the BBC. "She smiled. Someone else quickly put me right."

The following summer, during the Ashes series against Australia, Randall, playing his first Test on his home ground of Trent Bridge, was the innocent victim of a notorious mix-up when he was run out as non-striker by England team-mate Geoff Boycott, who was returning to international cricket after three years' self-imposed exile. Boycott hit the ball back towards the bowler Jeff Thomson before darting up the wicket, leaving Randall stranded. Boycott was booed by the home crowd, and later wrote: "if the ground had opened and swallowed me at that moment it would have been a mercy". [7] Fortunately England still won the match, and in the next Test at Headingley, Randall was involved in run-out action for the right reason. As Graham Holburn put it, Randall's "lightning run-out of Rick McCosker ... amazed all who witnessed it". [8] In the same game Randall took the catch which clinched the Ashes, turning a cartwheel in celebration. [1]

He had less success on his first tour, of Pakistan (3 tests) and New Zealand (3 tests) in 1977-78: the most noteworthy incident coming in the 2nd New Zealand Test in Christchurch, where for a second time he was run-out while Boycott was batting at the other end - although Boycott could not be blamed on this occasion, for Randall was "Mankadded", run-out by the bowler while backing-up out of his crease. He missed the following summer series in England - also against New Zealand and Pakistan - but was recalled for the next winter's tour.

Randall performed well against Australia again during the next Ashes series in 1978/79, which brought a 5–1 win for England, and two man of the match performances for Randall. His innings of 150 in a series dominated by fast bowlers was the highlight, coming in England's second innings of the 4th Test, as they overturned a first-innings deficit of over 100 to win the match. His other match award came in the 1st Test, where he top-scored for England in both innings with 75 and 74*, being at the crease when the winning runs were scored – in the process, also, being involved in a third run-out involving Boycott: this time it was Boycott who was run out, when Randall called for a quick single and Boycott hesitated before setting off. Randall also scored centuries against New Zealand and India, and one from the position of opener against Pakistan, but he struggled against the West Indian attack of 1984, when he was asked to bat at number three in the first Test match of the summer, and was never to return to the Test team. [1]

In one-day internationals England stuck with him a little longer, his cover fielding bringing extra value, as was demonstrated when he helped England to their first Cricket World Cup final, though finishing on the losing side. He played the last of his 49 one-day internationals in March 1985.

Randall was often the selectors' scapegoat for England's failings, and his Test batting positions ranged from number one to seven. Bateman commented about Randall, "he was always available, always loyal, and his Test average in no way flattered him". He played in more Tests than other Nottinghamshire alumni such as Reg Simpson, Harold Larwood, Bill Voce, Joe Hardstaff senior, Joe Hardstaff junior and Arthur Shrewsbury. [1]

Test centuries

Retirement

After retirement from first-class cricket Randall coached Cambridge University and Bedford School; when Alastair Cook came through the School's First XI, Randall recommended that the youngster be picked for the ECB National Academy.[ citation needed ] He also coached Bedfordshire in the Minor County Championship. The 'Derek Randall Suite' at Trent Bridge is named in his honour.

His books include The Young Player's Guide to Cricket and his autobiography, The Sun Has Got His Hat On (1984).

Notes

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 Bateman, Colin (1993). If The Cap Fits. Tony Williams Publications. pp. 138–139. ISBN   1-869833-21-X.
  2. ↑ Barrett, Michael (6 November 2005). "Heroes and villains: Derek Randall". The Observer. London. Retrieved 19 August 2011.
  3. ↑ "Nottinghamshire v Essex at Newark, 31 May-2 Jun 1972". ESPNCricinfo . Retrieved 20 June 2022.
  4. ↑ "Nottinghamshire v Middlesex at Nottingham, 5–7 Sept 1979". ESPNCricinfo . Retrieved 20 June 2022.
  5. ↑ "England XI v Australian XI at Nottingham, 12 June 1993". ESPNCricinfo . Retrieved 20 June 2022.
  6. ↑ "Randall recalls centenary fireworks". BBC Sport. 12 March 2002. Retrieved 19 August 2011.
  7. ↑ "Yes, no, sorry". ESPN. Retrieved 19 August 2021.
  8. ↑ "Derek Randall profile and biography". ESPN. Retrieved 19 August 2021.

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ian Botham</span> English cricketer (born 1955)

Ian Terence Botham, Baron Botham, is an English cricket commentator, member of the House of Lords, a former cricketer who has been chairman of Durham County Cricket Club since 2017 and charity fundraiser. Hailed as one of the greatest all-rounders in the history of the game, Botham represented England in both Test and One-Day International cricket. He was a part of the English squads which finished as runners-up at the 1979 Cricket World Cup and as runners-up at the 1992 Cricket World Cup.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Richard Hadlee</span> New Zealand cricketer (born 1951)

Sir Richard John Hadlee is a New Zealand former cricketer. Hadlee is widely regarded as one of the greatest all-rounders in cricket history, and amongst the very finest fast bowlers.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Geoffrey Boycott</span> English cricketer (born 1940)

Sir Geoffrey Boycott is a former Test cricketer, who played cricket for Yorkshire and England. In a prolific and sometimes controversial playing career from 1962 to 1986, Boycott established himself as one of England's most successful opening batsmen. He was a part of the English squad which finished as runners-up at the 1979 Cricket World Cup.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dennis Lillee</span> Australian cricketer

Dennis Keith Lillee, is a retired Australian cricketer rated as the "outstanding fast bowler of his generation". Lillee formed a new ball partnership with Jeff Thomson which is recognised as one of the greatest bowling pairs of all time.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Arthur Shrewsbury</span> English cricketer

Arthur Shrewsbury was an English cricketer and rugby football administrator. He was widely rated as competing with W. G. Grace for the accolade of best batsman of the 1880s; Grace himself, when asked whom he would most like in his side, replied simply, "Give me Arthur". An opening batsman, Shrewsbury played his cricket for Nottinghamshire County Cricket Club and played 23 Test matches for England, captaining them in 7 games, with a record of won 5, lost 2. He was the last professional to be England captain until Len Hutton was chosen in 1952. He was a Wisden Cricketer of the Year in 1890. He also organised the first British Isles rugby tour to Australasia in 1888.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">John Edrich</span> English cricketer (1937–2020)

John Hugh Edrich, was an English first-class cricketer who, during a career that ran from 1956 to 1978, was considered one of the best batsmen of his generation. Born in Blofield, Norfolk, Edrich came from a cricketing family, his four cousins, Eric Edrich, Bill Edrich, Geoff Edrich and Brian Edrich, all having played first-class cricket. He was educated at the private Bracondale School between the ages of eight and seventeen, during which time he played cricket at weekends and was coached by former cricketer C. S. R. Boswell.

Wayne Larkins is an English former cricketer, who represented Northamptonshire, Durham and Bedfordshire as an opening batsman throughout his career. He was selected to play for England as Graham Gooch's opening partner on tours of Australia and the West Indies. He was also a semi-professional footballer. He was a part of the English squad which finished as runners-up at the 1979 Cricket World Cup.

Peter Willey is a former English cricketer, who played as a right-handed batsman and right-arm offbreak bowler. In and out of the England team, he interrupted his international career for three years by taking part in the first of the England players' South African rebel tours in 1982. After his playing career ended, he became a Test umpire.

Centenary Test refers to two matches of Test cricket played between the English cricket team and the Australian cricket team, the first in 1977 and the second in 1980. These matches were played to mark the 100th anniversaries of the first Test cricket matches played in Australia (1877) and in England (1880) respectively. Neither match was played for The Ashes.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Chris Old</span> English cricketer

Chris Old is a former English cricketer, who played 46 Tests and 32 ODIs from 1972 to 1981. A right-arm fast-medium bowler and lower order left-handed batsman, Old was a key feature of the Yorkshire side between 1969 and 1983, before finishing his career at Warwickshire in 1985. As a Test bowler for England he took 143 wickets, and scored useful runs in the famous 1981 Ashes series' Headingley victory. He was a part of the English squad which finished as runners-up at the 1979 Cricket World Cup.

Ian Charles Davis is an Australian former cricketer (batsman) who played in 15 Test matches and three One Day Internationals between 1973 and 1977. Davis retired from first-class cricket in 1984 then worked for Dunlop Slazenger until his retirement in 2010.

Maxwell George O'Connell was an Australian Test cricket match umpire.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mike Hendrick</span> English cricketer (1948–2021)

Michael Hendrick was an English cricketer, who played in thirty Tests and twenty-two One Day Internationals for England from 1973 to 1981. He played for Derbyshire from 1969 to 1981, and for Nottinghamshire from 1982 to 1984. He was a part of the English squad which finished as runners-up at the 1979 Cricket World Cup.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Phil Edmonds</span> English cricketer

Philippe-Henri Edmonds is a former cricketer who represented England at international level and Middlesex at county level. After retiring he became a successful, albeit controversial, corporate executive. He was a part of the English squad which finished as runners-up at the 1979 Cricket World Cup.

Geoffrey Miller, is an English former cricketer, who played in 34 Test matches and 25 One Day Internationals for the England cricket team between 1976 and 1984. Nicknamed "Dusty", he played for Derbyshire from 1973 to 1986, captaining the side from 1979 to 1981, and returned in 1990 after playing for Essex between 1987 and 1989. He was an England selector from 2008 to 2013 and was appointed President of Derbyshire C.C.C. in March 2014. He was a part of the English squad which finished as runners-up at the 1979 Cricket World Cup.

Mike Denness captained the English cricket team in Australia in 1974–75, playing as England in the 1974–75 Ashes series against the Australians and as the MCC in their other matches on the tour. They lost the Test series and the Ashes 4–1 thanks to the battering they received from the fast bowling of Dennis Lillee and Jeff Thomson, but won the One Day International and with Lillee and Thomson injured they came back to win the Sixth Test by an innings.

The Australian cricket team toured England in the 1977 season to play five Test matches for the 1977 Ashes series against England. The Australians also played three one day internationals and 19 other tour matches.

The England cricket team toured Australia during the 1982–83 season, playing a five-Test series for The Ashes and a number of tour matches against Australian domestic teams before competing in a One-Day International (ODI) series against New Zealand for the Rothmans Cup. In between those competitions, England also participated in the Benson & Hedges World Series Cricket triangular ODI series against Australia and New Zealand.

The West Indian cricket team in England in 1973 played 17 first-class matches including three Tests. The team won the series against England by two matches to nil, with one drawn game. It also won the Prudential Trophy for the one-day series.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">1970–71 Ashes series</span> International cricket tour

The 1970–71 Ashes series was the 45th edition of the long-standing cricket rivalry between England and Australia. Starting on 27 November 1970, the two sides ended up playing seven Tests; six were originally scheduled, but one extra Test was added to compensate for the abandoned Third Test.

References

This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.