An Encounter with Daffy

Fantasy Bob enjoyed the highlights of the England v West Indies at Headingley in 1991, which were shown last night.  He is sure he watched much of it as it happened but even as it unrolled in front of him he couldn't really recall it.  This is no surprise; he can barely recall what happened to him yesterday.

But it reminded FB that in those years he was the proud owner of a tiny portable pocket TV with an LED screen about 4 inches across on which he was able surreptitiously to watch the cricket in the office.  Sadly, shortly after acquiring it, he moved into a metal-framed building subjected the reception to dreadful interference.   Even more sadly, he dropped it and jiggered the screen reducing its useful surface to about 2 inches across.

So how much of Graeme Gooch's remarkable 154* in the second innings might FB have seen on his tiny screen?  Did he see the debuts of Ramprakash and Hick - two outstanding batsmen who were expected to pile up the runs for England but who tragically failed to live up their evident potential.  At least these names mean something to him now.  But if you had asked him prior to the programme to say who Steve Watkin was he would have looked at you even more blankly than is his normal look.  He would have no idea.  Watkin also debuted in that Test - as a late call in for an injured Chris Lewis.  He didn't do too badly - indeed he contributed significantly to England's victory with 3-38  in West Indies' second innings, including the wicket of the mighty Richards for 3. The MasterBlaster attempted his trademark drive through midwicket from outside off stump.  Watkin must have been a tad slower than the great man expected, the ball ballooned to mid off from the leading edge.  In that spell Watkin also got Hooper and Logie, the three wickets falling for only 11 runs as West Indies dug a hole for themselves.  England won by 115 runs.  Watkin only played 2 more Tests.  But still snaffling Richards.....

The main burden of the England bolwing was done by Philip DeFreitas - known to all as Daffy.

Now this is the one Test bowler who FB has actually faced - believe it or not.  FB has told before of how several years ago he was invited to play at the Oval in a charity 6 a side tournament.  Each team had a pro allocated to it - as he has told previously FB was joined by Ramprakash.  The team up against FB had Daffy.  For some misguided reason FB's skipper put him at the top of the order.  FB marked his guard and looked up.  He could see Daffy in the middle distance - he was taking the first over.  Gulp.

Whether by accident or design,  Daffy served up a nice half volley just outside off and even a batsman of FB's limitd ability was able to cream it through the covers.

'Shot, mate,' said Daffy as FB went through the motions of taking a run, for the ball had crossed the boundary.

'Bowled, Daffy,' said FB tapping the Oval pitch like a proper cricketer.

Well, it's almost like snaffling Richards.