Phillip DeFreitas

[The Phantom Ram]

Phillip DeFreitas has now retired after a long and varied career that included time with Leicestershire (2 spells), Lancashire and Derbyshire, as well as a fairly long England career. I though after his time in cricket he deserved a thread of his own where people put what they think of DeFreitas, their memories etc. I shall post a more considered opinion tomorrow but I do rate Daffy and feel he had a very good spell as an England bowler.

It looks like he has left Leicestershire under a cloud which is a shame.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/cric...re/4332196.stm

Also maybe someone could back up my belief that DeFreitas bowled spin in a world cup final or semi?

[Greeny]

I will never ever forget the last session of day 3 of a test at The Oval against South Africa when Daffy and Gough went beserk with the bat, thge ball was disappearing to all parts. Great entertainment.

Phil was a great servant to England and his counties, always gave it his best.

[Collyisamackem]

DeFreitas was one of my early England favourites. I don't remember too much of him now but he had a good career. All the best in retirement Phil.

[greg]

Daffy was the best bowler we had in the early 90's.Carried the attack largely by himself after Gus Fraser got injured.All the best in retirement Daffy.

[Richie Benauds Love Child]

He was a great player, who always tried his best despite being asked to do some weird stuff by the deranged england management of the time. Remember his "offies" in the world cup/series ?

[Aaron]

I always thought his action looked a bit unco to be honest

[The Phantom Ram]

Part One
Phil DeFreitas made his first class debut on the 1st May 1985, aged 19, against Oxford University and despite being out for a duck in his innings he was instumental in skittling Oxford out for 24, taking 3-3 and giving early indication of his promise. Much of his first season was spent alternating between the 2nd XI and the Sunday League Team but he did make his County Championship debut on 31st July against Lancashire, batting at 10 he scored 30 not out and took 5-39 in the second innings (he took 1-71 in the first). This performance was enough to keep him in the Leicestershire side for the rest of the season and his total of 8 games yeilded, 117 runs from 11 innings @ 14.62 and 21 wickets @ 29.47. His performances in his debut against Lancashire remained his best performances that season. His one day appearances that season, 13 in total, hardly marked him as an all-rounder in the making with 43 runs coming at 8.60 although his 13 wickets at 24.23 did show promise for a 19 year old. 1986 was a key year for DeFreitas because he started it as a promising 20 year old and ended the year touring Australia with the England test side. DeFreitas' batting had improved enough to score 630 county championship runs including 3 half centuries and a maiden century against Kent, he also took 89 wickets in his ever present campaign. His averages for the season, 24.23 with the bat and 22.21 with the ball ensure that he was burdened with the tag of 'the new Botham'. The Ashes wining tour to Australia saw DeFreitas make his test debut at 20 and end the series with 4 caps, a place in history and the cricket world at his feet as England's next all rounder.

[Kirsty Harris]

I hope he has success in the future, Defreitas was a good bowler for England, and a fine county Captin. A solid, reliable player; who gave his all and made the best of his ability. A shame things went wrong with Lecistershire, as he deserved a happier end to his career (mind you, it could be worse - he could be Graham Thrope! ).

Good luck to Daffy, county cricket will miss him!