Aug 30, 2001 10:21 PM
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Despite the England team’s so-called resurgence in the past 18 months, our frailties have been underlined once more against the Aussies.
But it is the batsmen who regularly let the side down and our complete lack of a penetrative spin bowler who can actually turn the ball. Once player stands out above all others in the squad as virtually free of any criticism. He is universally praised as likeable, hard working and one of the top pace bowlers around – He is Darren Gough!
The Yorkshireman – from Barnsley – burst on the scene a decade ago and but for injuries (seemingly suffered by all English fast bowlers) he would have been a fixture in the side throughout that time. ‘Goughie’ is also one of the ‘pin-ups’ of the sporting scene. His fresh faced good looks hardly show any signs of ageing and when I met him recently at an event put on in conjunction with his Benefit year, he still has plenty of female admirers!
But he is a good family man and you would be hard pressed to find his name or face in press gossip columns for boozing, womanizing or outrageous behaviour – a real model professional in every sense. Definitely a role model that one or two of our young sporting ‘stars’ could take some advice off of!
Now unable to play very often for his county – as he is one of the England players under ‘central contract’ – he had moved down south and in fact lives in my county. If he is ever released from the England set up (they have been known to do foolish things in the past), he would be a prime target for Middlesex, Essex or Surrey to sign. But that will be a while yet.
Darren promised to be a bit of an all-rounder when he was younger. Often coming in late in the order and playing sensible – or pugnacious – knocks with the bat, to add to his always effective fast bowling. That seems to have never quite materialised and lets face it we are still looking for a true successor to Ian Botham and that may never happen.
But ‘Goughie’ is a consistent performer - game in game out - for England with the ball. He exudes a passion for the game and nobody can ever accuse him of not showing a real love of playing for his country without going overboard (like some nations I could mention!). His inswinging yorkers and tight line and length, allied to decent pace, has him at #1 in the England bowling line up. The likes of Andy Caddick may have the odd decent game, but Gough does it when needed – and often.
At a Benefit game recently, he was friendly to all. He definitely had no kind of ‘celebrity hang ups’. Just a nice guy who genuinely enjoys the game and feels humble that he has made it to the top and can be paid for doing something he loves. He signed autographs, chatted to anyone who approached him and gave encouragement to those he was playing with.
Just a real gentleman, a top sportsman and he’s ENGLISH!
