Gatts Ashes Part 3
By Seaxe Man
April 6 2013
This is the final chapter in Gatt's reign as England captain. Having made his place in history by captaining the Ashes winning team, we hear how Gatt finds himself in trouble with a Pakistini umpire, a barmaid and the selectors. Read on.
Following the World Cup Final in Calcutta came the Pakistan Tour of late 1987.
The second Test at Faisalabad 7,8,9*.11th, 12th December 1987.
The third day’s (9th) play included the controversial incident between Gatt and Umpire Shaka Rana.
This was over Rana calling Gatt a *******cheat when he said Gatt had altered the field as the bowler was about to bowl.
This led to a stand off which took a day to resolve over apologies, which were eventually grudgingly forthcoming.
In 1988 against the top side of the era, West Indies, Gatt started well with a 3-0 whitewash in the Texaco Trophy.
I was fortunate to see the first of these games at Edgbaston.
Gatt captained in the 1st Test at Trent Bridge which was drawn.
However an organised ‘ Red Top’ sting involving a barmaid and a fourposter bed being seen pushed into the shrubbery at the team’s hotel, led to him being sacked by Chairman of Selectors PBH May.
The barmaid disappeared for good after the initial revelations. So could not be questioned.
May’s action did not prove to be a wise decision. Gatt was replaced by John Emburey for the next two Tests which were lost.
The fourth Test was captained by Chris Cowdrey also lost. The baton for the final Test was passed to Graham Gooch.
No luck there either, as the 5th and final Test was also lost. So Gatt had the satisfaction of being the only one of the 4 captains not to lose.
In 1989 a new Chairman of Selectors took over. Lord Ted Dexter.
He was of the opinion that Gatt should be recalled as captain on reviewing previous results.
1989 was another Ashes Year, this time at home.
However it was said at the time, and proved to be correct, ‘ that certain shadowy figures ‘at Lord’s were opposed to his recall.
Consequently his return was vetoed. When the ‘a shadowy figure’ was identified ( a former bowler from the 60/70’s era) and was asked as to his reasons.
He replied ‘it was too soon for his return’ IHHO.
In the event. Gower was recalled as captain. A 4-0 defeat followed.
Arguably the events of the years 1987/88 caused a slump in morale of England’s senior players.
Their dissatisfaction was seized upon by Dr Ali Bacher. Who organised the rebel South African Tour.
The players involved, including Gatt were handed a 3 year Test ban..
This led to an Ashes hiatus which was to last for about two decades, the roots of which lay with decisions made by the then hierarchy.
The TCCB as then was, were unimpressed with Dexter’s wishes on the captaincy being blocked by a (would be now known as) jobsworth.
This set in train the current set-up of publicly known and accountable people to select the captain.
ie The National Selectors, Team Director plus ECB Management. This is as it should be IMHO.
Central contracts also will limit the number of likely candidates.
Gatt did eventually return as player and his last significant innings for England, was 117 at Adelaide in 1995.
This led to an England win, the first for 8 years, though the series was lost.
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Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2013:04:10:06:27:23 by BarmierKev.
Barmy Kev
I'm only here for the tele
Interested to know who the shadowy ex-bowler was, SM...
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2013:04:06:16:22:57 by Fozzie.
Not lightning quick. I would say a medium pacer, perhaps a little brisker than that at times.
A little research of the Sixties (might have made early Seventies) players records should get you there.
The gentleman concerned has kept his head down and little has been heard of him since (1989) to my knowledge.
Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 2013:04:08:11:40:43 by Seaxe_Man.
Was'nt there also a connection later with Derek Pringle. It was said he was going out with May's daughter at that time.
As you say, he and Gatt would have been a chalk and cheese job.
The Middlesex match after Gatt's dismissal was at Tunbridge Wells (rhododendrons el al).
I went to day 1 and can recall the Middlesex Chairman of the day looking mighty unimpressed and to improve his mood, had had a few jars.
Mark Benson, now an umpire, was the Kent opener in that game and had a technique of leaving the ball very late, giving the impression of playing and missing about 300 times.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2013:04:07:09:58:07 by Seaxe_Man.
Quote:Seaxe_Man
I will give you a clue Fozzie. Played for Warwickshire and Glamorgan. Blond hair as I recall.(in his playing days)
Not lightning quick. I would say a medium pacer, perhaps a little brisker than that at times.
A little reearch of the Sixties (might have made early Seventies) players records should get you there.
The gentleman concerned has kept his head down and little has been heard of him since (1989) to my knowledge.
Ah yes, I think I know who you mean. I'd forgotten he was involved with the England set-up. Quite a respected county captain, if I remember, but a bit of a journeyman. I'm surprised his views carried such weight if it was indeed the case.
I hadn't heard about the possible Pringle connection, but as another Cambridge man it could well fit.
Amused by your memories of Mark Benson. Not best designed to lighten Gatt's mood, I'm sure.
I would guess that the odds would have been shorter on the following not happening/happening, had the 'shadowy figure' stayed his hand back in 1989.
a) I doubt if Ali Bacher's rebel SA tour would have got off the ground. It would certainly not have included senior England players.
b) the ripples from a) which affected the England side for a decade would not have happened. We had Dexter as Chair until 1993.
He was unsuccessful. Did'nt seem to have the time for the job.
Then followed Keith Fletcher on a five year deal. He was also unsuccessful and the deal was curtailed early at huge expense to the TCCB.
After that, the old lags, as described by the media, Gooch, Gatting el al were selectors for a while.
They were eventually ousted by the media lobby, who as usual wanted change.
This led to Duncan Fletcher around the Millenium. He finally put the blocks in place for the 2005 Ashes success.
c) To give an idea of the instability engendered by the shadowy one. In the 1989 series, Lord Ted used no fewer than 29 players.
Many of these were unknown to him. The tactic back then, was to trawl the most recent county matches and see who had a few runs or wickets.
They were called up and mostly discarded after one Test. Hence the one Test wonders.
d) The roots of the shenanigans then, of course lay in the Pakistan Tour.
It was a sour experience which damaged Anglo Pakistan relations for a long time after.
As they ' it is an ill wind which does'nt blow some good'. One upshot being neutral umpires in Tests. To be fair. This was long championed by Imran Khan.
Though I think his target was Australian umpires reluctant to give their batsmen out lbw. Spinners were big victims as well.
The DRS system, as all neutral systems will. Removes bias and favouritism.
The reason why the old lags in football dislike goal line technology.
e) Had Gatt been retained. Good chance we would have put up a better show than 0-4. Gower was reported back then to be reluctant to take the job.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2013:04:08:12:05:43 by Seaxe_Man.
However, as we both agree, a decade with much controversy, and a decade and a half later, some detail gets overlooked.
Especially in this case, when the team's heavies had to hold Devon Malcolm back physically,in the dressing room, after Illingworth slagged off Malcolm in front of the team.
It was on the 1995/96 SA Tour and I think it occurred at Newlands, Cape Town, after England were spanked by 10 wkts.
In the pecking order, Illingworth must have followed on from Keith Fletcher. He like the others from that period, was not a success.
Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 2013:04:10:17:41:17 by Seaxe_Man.
Illingworth's man-management of Devon Malcolm was indeed appalling. Of course, poor Devon didn't have a great experience with the England bigwigs, having been introduced before his debut as "Malcolm Devon" by Ted Dexter.