The Anonymous Widower

England Need a Touch of the Trevor Bailey’s

One of Essex’s greatest players was Trevor Bailey, who is probably enjoying his county counterpart, Alistair Cook, bat on in Sydney.

Bailey was renowned for his all-round abilities and supreme determination. There can’t be many people, who have played over 60 times for England at cricket and have played in an amateur football team, that drew at Manchester United in the FA Cup.

Bailey was nicknamed Barnacle and this spirit is what England needs to see out the day in Sydney. Even if they score perhaps a little bit faster than Bailey’s reputation, summed up in these words from the great Neville Cardus.

Before he gathered together 20 runs, a newly-married couple could have left Heathrow and arrived in Lisbon, there to enjoy a honeymoon. By the time Bailey had congealed 50, this happily wedded pair could easily have settled down in a semi-detached house in Surbiton; and by the time his innings had gone to its close they conceivably might have been divorced.

But perhaps Bailey is having the greatest last laugh on his detractors in that at 83, he is still watching a lot of cricket and he only needs another 17 for a famous and well-deserved ton.

January 5, 2011 - Posted by AnonW | Sport | Cricket, Essex