July 25, 1986 – When England used four wicket-keepers in a Test match

The Lord's Test between England and New Zealand witnessed a rare instance in Test cricket.

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Bruce French
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Bruce French of England during the 2nd Test match against New Zealand. (Photo by David Munden/Popperfoto/Getty Images)

New Zealand toured England in 1986 for a 2-match ODI series and a 3-match Test series. The teams were a part of the Test series that started on July 24th at the Lord’s after the ODI series was levelled 1-1. England made 248/5 on day one after electing to bat as Martyn Moxon and David Gower scored 74 and 62 respectively. Richard Hadlee completed a five-wicket haul by dismissing the overnight batsman Phil Edmonds. Keeper Bruce French’s stay at the crease was cut short to 12 minutes before he got injured.

French tried to play out a bouncer from Hadlee which ended up hitting him on the back of the helmet. Soon French collapsed on to the ground and was bleeding through the cut he suffered as a result of the blow. He was taken to the hospital where he got three stitches to cover up the wound. England innings carried on and they were bowled out for 307. Hadlee finished with figures of 6/80 in his 37.5 overs. It was evident England needed a keeper as French’s participation in the Test looked doubtful.

One…two…three…four:

Bruce French being wheeled
England wicket-keeper Bruce French being wheeled off the pitch when he collapsed after being hit on the head by a ball. (Photo by PA Images via Getty Images)

Bill Athey, England’s No.3, donned the keeping gloves but his new position lasted only two overs. England decided to bring in retired keeper Bob Taylor, who was then 45-year-old. The veteran came out of retirement to serve his country with the consent of New Zealand captain Jeremy Convey. Taylor’s last appearance for England was way back in 1984 but he continued to be flawless behind the stumps. He was present at the venue doing PR work for the sponsor Cornhill Insurance before he got the call and had to extract his keeping gloves from the car.

Post Lunch on the 3rd day, Taylor handed over the responsibilities to Bobby Parks. The Hampshire keeper for the remainder of the day before French was fit enough to resume duties on day four. New Zealand made 342 to take a 35-run first inning before they were bowled out on the first ball of the 4th day. Despite the fact that four wicketkeepers were used during the innings, none of them got a chance to take a catch or effect a stumping.

England made 295/6 in their 2nd innings and declared the innings when French was slated to bat next. New Zealand made 41/2 in the 15 overs of play possible in the 2nd half of the 5th day and the game ended in a draw. The Kiwis went on to win the 2nd Test in Trent Bridge and won the 3-match Test series as the final Test at The Oval ended in a draw. Bruce French featured in the next two matches and took three catches in total.

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