21 Facts about Darren Gough - The English dazzler

21 Facts about Darren Gough – The English dazzler: Darren Gough is epitomized as one of the greatest fast bowlers to have represented the three lions. Though the 5 feet 11 inch fast bowler was a bulky figure on the field but yet this lion-heart Yorkshireman masked the face of boldness, dynamism and unmatched self-belief with which he not only proved his critics wrong but was able to carve out a special place in the folklore of English cricket.

Gough had the prodigal ability to swing the ball both ways while he was a skiddy customer as well which made his bowling even more deceptive. And with reverse-swing in his armor, a skill which is very rare among English pacers, he became a bowling stalwart for England.

Today, on the occasion of his 45^th birthday we list 21 Facts about Darren Gough- The English Dazzler:

1. Birth:

Darren Gough was born on 18 September, 1970 in Monk Bretton, Barnsley, Yorkshire.

2. Football:

Darren Gough was a promising Football player and even featured in YTS team many a times before turning to cricket as his profession.

3. Early hiccups in First-Class cricket:

Darren Gough made his First-Class debut in 1989 for Yorkshire while he played his first List-A match in 1990. But he didn’t have the best of starts in FC cricket as it was characterized by lack of discipline, thrust and ambition as per his Autobiography.

4. Critics:

Darren Gough had a rather bulky physique right from the beginning of his career, which attracted many critics towards him who always believed that a man of his physique can never possess that level of fitness that matches the requirements of fast bowler.

5. Defining moment:

The West Indian great Richie Richardson was a part of the Yorkshire club during Gough’s playing days. In 1993, Richardson had advised him to concentrate on raw pace then on the critics who tried to bring him down. And then there was no looking back for Gough as he followed this principle throughout his career.

6. ODI debut:

He made his ODI debut in 1994 against New Zealand and left behind a good impression as well. He secured figures of 2/36 in his full quota of 11 overs and scalped crucial wickets of both the Kiwi openers, Martin Crowe and Bryan Young.

7. New Botham:

The English pacer had a fairy tale start to his career in the whites. In his debut Test innings against Black Caps, he scored 65 runs with the bat while with the ball he claimed 6 wickets. After the match, he was termed as the ‘New Botham’ by English media though he remained a bowler who could bat a bit throughout his career.

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8. Highlight of his Test career:

Gough claimed the lone Hat-trick of his international career against Australia at Sydney in 1999. But most importantly it was the first Hat-trick in Ashes cricket by an English bowler after 100 years. His victims were Ian Healy, Stuart MacGill and Colin Miller.

9. First English bowler to take 200 ODI wickets:

Gough was particularly very renowned for his exploits in ODI cricket. In September 2004, he became the first Englishman to take 200 ODI wickets.

10. Knee injury:

In 2003, he was forced to take retirement from Test cricket as a knee injury threatened to end his professional cricketing career. Though he continued playing limited overs cricket.

11. Test career:

Darren tasted reasonable success in the whites as well and when he retired from Tests, he stood tall with 229 wickets in 58 Tests. He took 9 Fifers in Tests. It was an unfulfilled career.

12. Changing County side:

In 2004, he moved to Essex after playing County cricket for Yorkshire since 1989. Gough had to take this decision due to certain family issues. But in 2007, he not only returned to Yorkshire but captained the side as well and was quoted saying, “They know I’ll run through brick walls for Yorkshire. I’ve come home.”

13. Controversy:

In 2005, Darren Gough had voluntarily asked selectors not to consider him for England’s tour of Pakistan so that he can spend some quality time with his family. But then it was found out that he had signed up for BBC television show Strictly Come Dancing, which led to his omission from the English side which toured India in 2006.

14. Strictly Come Dancing:

In December 2005, he was part of the famed BBC Television show ‘Strictly Come Dancing.’ Darren Gough was partnered with British National champion Lilia Kopylova. He not only participated in the show but emerged victorious in both the main series and the Christmas Special of 2005 which prompted him to further take part in Christmas Special 2007 as well and once again ended up as the winner.

15. International retirement:

On 2^nd September 2006 he made his last appearance for England in international cricket against Pakistan. He ended his career with 466 international wickets and out of the total wickets 229 came in Tests, 235 in ODIs and 3 in T20Is. Darren is the fourth highest wicket-taker for England in international cricket.

16. Face of Costcutter:

In 2010, Darren Gough was made the face of UK Supermarket chain ‘Costcutter’. He even regularly featured in the promotional trails for them.

17. Brand Ambassador:

In 2010, Darren Gough became the Brand Ambassador for Collier’s Powerful Welsh Cheddar. He even made number of appearances in the International Cheese Awards in Nantwich.

18 Politics:

In 2009, it was found that he is an avid supporter of the Conservative Party. He even offered his support to Nigel Adams’ parliamentary campaign for Selby and Ainsty. Gough was even offered the opportunity to be a candidate for Conservative Party by David Cameron for the Barnsley Central by-election in February 2011 but due to some other commitments he declined the offer.

19. Kevin Pietersen’s best man:

Darren Gough had donned the hat of the best man at KP’s wedding.

20 Nicknames:

He is fondly referred to as Rhino and Dazzler for his dynamic persona and bold attitude. Darren Gough is a very extrovert kind of guy who thoroughly loves and cherishes every moment in his life to the very best.

21. Domestic Career in numbers:

Darren Gough featured in 248 First-Class matches and scalped 855 wickets. He also has one century with the bat. While he played 420 List-A matches and took 598 wickets. In 32 T20 matches, he claimed 33 wickets.