Ramapriya
http://content-usa.cricinfo.com/england/content/player/19316.html
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Clive Radley was not the most gifted or graceful batsman, but he more than
made up for that with determination, hard work, and the absence of anything
approaching risk. He accumulated runs rather than stroked them, scurrying
between the wickets quicker than almost any contemporary, with a
characteristic slide in the final yards which enabled him to turn quickly.
Watching him in partnership with the equally swift Graeme Barlow was a
delight. his ability to eke out quick singles made him a valuable one-day
player in a side which dominated the one-day knockouts from the mid
seventies. An archetypal county stalwart, international recognition came
when Middlesex finally emerged from two-and-a-half decades in the doldrums
and again became fashionable - that their captain, Mike Brearley, also led
England probably helped. Radley made his Test debut in New Zealand in
1977-78 aged almost 34, and in his second Test at Auckland ground out a
typically gritty 11-hour 158. In 1978 he made an equally dour 115 in the
first Test of the season against Pakistan, and innings of 59 and 77 in the
last two Tests of the summer gained him a place in that winter's tour party
to Australia. But he was struck a sickening blow in the first match and was
a peripheral figure on the trip thereafter and did not play for England
again. He continued to play for Middlesex until he was well into his
forties, and then moved from the main ground to the Nursery where he took
over from Don Wilson as MCC's head coach.
Martin Williamson
>Wanted to know why he played just 8 Tests despite averaging nearly 50.
>Any here who's seen him bat?
Oh, my Radley and my Barlow long ago.
It's hard to think of Radley without Graham Barlow at the other end,
as they scuttled back and forth and took runs which looked impossible.
Middlesex were very unlikely to lose a one-dayer until those two were
out. Rad could manufacture runs from anywhere, so it seemed, and Middx
won several one-day trophies on the back of his nurdling.
He was worth a try as an England player because he had made lots and
lots of runs domestically, and he didn't do all that badly. But then
Gower made his debut and there wasn't any room for a nurdler any more.
Cheers,
Mike
My only recollection is of him batting for an interminable length of time at
Auckland in 1977/78. This was a six-day Test on which time ran out before
the third innings was completed, and otherwise memorable only for the
roly-poly NZ 'keeper Jock Edwards scoring entertaining twin half centuries.
I gather Radley could bat more positively than that in different
circumstances.
Graham Barlow, OTOH, recently coached Central Districts to the domestic
first-class title in New Zealand.
Andrew
Just tossing an idea off the top of my head. I wouldn't mind seeing a
6th day rule for tests. i.e at the point where a match can be called
on the 5th day either captain can call for the 6th day if they believe
that their team can force a "W" decision. But if they can't at that
point then the other team automatically wins. I'm sure there's all
kinds of things wrong with the idea, but a drawn 6 day test seems like
such a waste of time and effort. Maybe more bowler friendly pitches
would be a good idea too, though that would reduce the mystique of
high-scoring batsmen I suppose.
--
Cheers,
SDM -- a 21st century schizoid man
Systems Theory internet music project links:
soundclick <www.soundclick.com/systemstheory>
garageband <http://www.garageband.com/artist/systemstheory>
"Soundtracks For Imaginary Movies" CD released Dec 2004
"Codetalkers" CD coming very soon in 2006
NP: nothing