Talk:David Gower

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This article seems to have a bit of a NPOV problem, particularly the 'short sighted selectors' paragraph. I don't trust myself to be able to write a decent sounding biography, I'm sure there are plenty of contributors out there who can do a better job than I would. Raven4x4x 00:40, July 19, 2005 (UTC)

Who described him as "aloof"? All the former players' biographies I've seen which comment on his personality describe him as affable, approachable and easy natured. Meltingpot (talk) 19:53, 4 January 2008 (UTC)

I agree about the NPOV and have added a more detailed summary of DG's demise as an international player. It is also worth mentioning that Gower's decision to sit out the '87 world cup really rankled as it blew what was probably our best chance. Also he was the butt of many of the jokes on "They Think Its All Over"

Yes but as I've added on the main page, he had been on nine successive winter tours before then and never again declined a chance to play for England. At the time, one day cricket was not thought to be as important as tests (as damn well should be the position today), so Gower was entitled to skip an ODI tournament. By contrast, it was a complete joke that he was left out of the 1992/3 tour of India on grounds of 'age' (then he was 35) - they took Gatting (35), Gooch (39) and Emburey (40) instead! And left behind the then highest scorer in English history who was left handed and a master of spin bowling, and who had been captain in England's last series win in India. Wonderful selectors then, as now.

Yes true but look on the bright side - at least he went out at the top of his game, after that superb innings against Pakistan in 1992 where he beat Geoff Boycott's runs record in Tests. He also missed the "chance" to contract food poisoning in India as several of the England squad did (from eating a plate of prawns). It was a bad decision for England but maybe not such a bad one for him.Meltingpot (talk) 19:53, 4 January 2008 (UTC)

Contents 1 Reverse Sweep 2 Wine company 3 Joy ride 4 Professional Rugby Player

[edit] Reverse Sweep

Gower in the 1990s became a proponent of a risky shot the Reverse Sweep that undermined his usefulness as a left handed player.

Is this true ? I haven't seen much English cricket from this time, but have listened to a lot of radio commentary. Can't remember hearing about him playing a single reverse sweep. Tintin 12:50, 11 August 2005 (UTC)

I have seen film of him attempting the shot and recall commentators at the time complaining but will remove until I get a clear citation.

It was Botham who pioneered the shot and Gatting who was pillored for it as it was the shot he was dismissed while attempting in the 1987 WC final.

[edit] Wine company

I've made a brief reference to the fact that he is now involved in an online wine business, but this was the best I could come up with by way of confirmation;

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/cricket/the_ashes/1482336.stm

Meltingpot (talk) 16:47, 11 February 2008 (UTC)

[edit] Joy ride

Was it a Gypsy Moth, or a Tiger Moth? (Camillofan 15:50, 9 August 2006)

According to Michael Atherton's 2003 autobiography 'Opening Up' it was a Tiger Moth, not a Gypsy Moth (Gingersonny, 16th August 2006)

[edit] Professional Rugby Player

There was no proffessional rugby Union at the time Gower was at school and I'd be very surprized if he played Rugby League. Where does the citation-less statement on his rugby come from? It needs clarification and probably shouldn't be in the introductory paragraph. Epeeist smudge 12:13, 25 January 2007 (UTC)

I played with Dave Gower on the 1st XV of the King's Canterbury rugby team. As Epeeist smudge says, there was no professional rugby union in those days and there was no chance of Gower playing rugby league. He played outside half, and was a natural, but not outstanding rugby player and was not particularly interested in the sport. Timpontardawe 09:40, 5 June 2007 (UTC)

I've edited the paragraph to say he was a talented rugby union player. Still needs a citation- although I don't doubt Timpontardawe's word for a minute, it doesn't count as a citation. I'm not surprised he was a stand-off. Hard to imagine him as a tight-head prop! Epeeist smudge 18:10, 5 June 2007 (UTC)