Norman Gifford: The 44-Year-Old ODI Debutant Who Captained England

Norman Gifford, England’s slow left-arm spinner, remains the oldest player to make an ODI debut for a Full Member nation at 44 — and uniquely did so as captain, adding another remarkable chapter to his distinguished career.

Norman Gifford story (Image Source: Google)

England cricketer Norman Gifford recently died aged 85. He was a crafty, slow left-arm bowler. He was popular with a nickname, Apple Norm that reflected his rosy cheeks and good nature. There are various other reasons to consider him to be a special cricketer:

* He took more than 2000 first-class wickets (2068) and this tally is special considering the speed of reduced red-ball cricket these days and may not be surpassed. He also scored 7048 runs at 13.00. His 33 Test wickets came at 31.09.

*He had the distinction of receiving the first man of the match award in one-day cricket (although in a lost game), for taking four for 33 against Sussex in the inaugural Gillette Cup final in 1963.

*In 1964 he claimed 98 wickets helping Worcestershire become county champions and this earned him a spot in the England team for the Ashes Test at Lord’s. Although the start was not bad, he faced direct competition, first with Tony Lock and thereafter with Derek Underwood and had to wait for seven years for the next call-up.

* He continued performing well for Worcestershire:

- In 1965, claimed seven for 23, including his only hat-trick, against Derbyshire at Chesterfield.

- In 1968 recorded his career best figures, eight for 28 against Yorkshire at Sheffield.

- Appointed Worcestershire captain in 1971 and led the team to its first Sunday League title. That was the year; he was recalled by England and replaced Underwood for the Test against Pakistan at Headingley. Incidentally, England won this Test.

*When England toured India in 1972-73, under Tony Lewis, Gifford was told that he would not be the first-choice left-arm spin bowler. Ultimately he played in four of the Tests in the two series against India and Pakistan.

*Played his final Test match (his 15th) against New Zealand at Lord’s in 1973.

*Led Worcestershire to another County title in 1974, and he was one of Wisden's Cricketers of the Year. Overall he was a member of three Championship-winning sides. He became president of Worcestershire in 2017.

*In 1978 he was appointed MBE.

*He was made England captain at the age of 45 for two one-day internationals against Australia and Pakistan in the Rothmans Four Nations Cup in Sharjah. No doubt he was a stop gap arrangement as many England first-choice players were given rest (including the captain David Gower). England lost both the matches but he took four for 23 in 10 overs against Pakistan (Imran Khan was out for a golden duck). He remains the oldest player to make his ODI debut for a Full Member country. He had gone from Assistant Manager to skipper overnight. He is one of the few players who made ODI appearances after their 40th birthday (44year and 361 days). He played two matches, both as captain..

*Shifted to Warwickshire, and was appointed their captain in 1985.

*In February 86, Norman Gifford while on duty with England B as assistant manager, played in Sri Lanka v England B, 3rd Unofficial test, at 3 weeks off his 46th birthday, contrary to instructions from the TCCB in London.

*In 1986 took his 2000th wicket becoming in all probability the last bowler in England to finish a career with more than 2,000 first-class wickets, given the reduction in fixtures.

*Finally retired, aged 48, in 1988.

*Very few first-class cricketers played more matches than Norman Gifford. He played 710 games in all, the 20th highest total in history.

*In 1989 he was Sussex coach and was offered to come out of retirement to play against Kent, to take advantage of the damp pitch, but he declined.

*A unique honour came in 2016, when Worcestershire and Warwickshire started competing for the Norman Gifford Trophy, awarded each year to the winner of the Vitality Blast T20 matches between the two counties.