Cult Heroes

[Andy Mellon]

I've noticed an article in the latest Wisden Cricketer which will be outlining who they think are the cult heroes for the county faithful out there. They started with the Midlands - I think Notts, Derbys and Worcs.

But who would YOU think are your team's cult heroes?

I'll get round to putting mine up shortly, but rest assured that there'll be space for Keith Fletcher and Peter Such in there!

[The Phantom Ram]

It was Notts, Derbys and Northants.

I personally was very disapointed with the Derbyshire selections. In my opinion it was put together with the thought, If I put old players that very few have heard of I'll look really knowledgable, and I'll throw a current player too. To me our cult hero, from my time anyway, is Ole 'Stan' Mortenson our Danish pace bowler of the 80/90's.

He was doen to earth and fantastically successful with the bowl and spectacually unsuccessful with the bat. Pure gold as a player and a person.

[Glamorgan Wanderer]

For Glamorgan I would nominate Steve 'Basil' Barwick and Sir Vivian Richards.

Barwick was ostensibly a medium pacer who in fact bowled a variety of off-cutters at a pace only just above that of the spinners and was a complete rabbit with the bat. He was, however, a very effective one-day bowler and possessed an impressive moustache.

Richards might seem like an obvious choice, but by the time he came to Glamorgan his powers were clearly in decline. However, his impact on the club was immense and the success we have had since can, I think, be put down to his influence to a large extent. He also seemed to be a very down to earth bloke and seemed to want to contribute something to the club (rather than merely serving out his time for the sake of a few more quid).

[Richie Benauds Love Child]

So who else was in there Phantom Ram ? Hard not include big Dev in there, maybe geoff Miller or Karl Krikken....

[Notts Exile]

Who was in the Notts heroes? Kevin Saxelby? He was either completely useless or quite brilliant. I remember seeing him bowl 2 of the final three overs of an innings in a JPL match against Worcestershire at Trent Bridge, Notts fielding first. He bowled a nine ball over that went for 31 I think, including four sixes from long hops and full tosses. Clive Rice kept him on for the final over and he took and triple wicket maiden including a hat-trick. From the ridiculous to the sublime within ten minutes!

[The Phantom Ram]

Originally Posted by Richie Benauds Love Child

So who else was in there Phantom Ram ? Hard not include big Dev in there, maybe geoff Miller or Karl Krikken....

Yes you could make a case for any of those players although Mortenson would still be my favourite, if I remember rightly his batting was that bad that Malcolm often batted at 10! I had forgot Bob Taylor was one of Derbyshire's picks and I don't think anyone would argue with that. As far as the others go, Billy Bestwick, Les Jackson and Arnold Hamer I'm sure they were fantastic players but to be a cult hero you need to be well remembered by all the fans, even those that never saw them play - this is how I think of Bob Taylor, I am too young to remember him playing but you hear great things.

Here is the article.

http://content-uk.cricinfo.com/wisde...ry/223096.html