New Delhi. Cricket is said to be a game of uncertainties, where history can change with every ball, but in the summer of 1986, something happened at the historic ground of Lord’s, which shook the rules of cricket and its imagination. In the same innings of this Test match played between England and New Zealand, not one, two or three, but four different wicketkeepers had to take the field from England.
This strange incident became one of the most unique stories in cricket history. The situation had become so bad that the retired wicketkeeper present in the commentary box had to come on the field. This was a completely new experience for the spectators present on the field, while some fans, seeing this scene, started cursing the rules as to how so many keepers could be changed in a single match.
Change of wicketkeeper started due to injury
England’s regular wicketkeeper in this match was Bruce French. During the match, when the New Zealand team was batting, a ball from England’s fast bowler Richard Ellison dodged the gloves of Bruce French and went straight to his head. The injury was so serious that French had to immediately leave the field and go to the hospital. From here on the Lord’s ground, such a drama started, which looked like a comedy play.
The legendary batsman had to wear keeping gloves
After the injury of Bruce French, England did not have any backup wicketkeeper in the team, so to handle the crisis situation, England’s legendary batsman Bill Athey took the responsibility of wicketkeeping. Bill was not a specialist keeper, so he somehow managed the task by wearing gloves and standing behind the stumps. He played this role for only two overs.
45 year old commentator returns to the field
Since Bill Athey was not a regular keeper, the England team was looking for a better option when they remembered that the former England wicketkeeper Bob Taylor was present in the commentary box at Lord’s, who was commentating for the BBC at that time. Bob Taylor was 45 years old at that time and had retired from international cricket. Following the sportsmanship and consent of New Zealand captain Jeremy Cooney, Bob Taylor came down from the commentary box, wore the jersey given by the sponsor and reached the field to keep. He kept brilliantly for a total of 32 overs.
Fourth keeper came on the third day of the match
The next day of the match, i.e. on the third day, another change was seen in place of Bob Taylor. The England Cricket Board hurriedly called Hampshire wicketkeeper Bobby Parks. Bobby Parks reached the field and took command as the fourth wicketkeeper for England in the match. In this way, four different players played the role behind the wicket in the same innings.
This test match at Lord’s is always remembered not only for the runs and wickets, but for the spirit of the game and this unprecedented incident. While the New Zealand captain’s consent exemplified the spirit of the game, 45-year-old Bob Taylor’s rise from the commentary box and straight onto the field became a magical moment. This strange record in cricket history may never be broken.
