Gladstone Small

Gladstone Small
Personal information
Full name Gladstone Cleophas Small
Born 18 October 1961
St. George, Barbados
Batting style Right-handed batsman (RHB)
Bowling style Right arm fast-medium (RFM)
International information
National side
Test debut (cap 521) 7-12 August 1986 v New Zealand
Last Test 1-5 February 1991 v Australia
ODI debut (cap 92) 1 January 1987 1976 v Australia
Last ODI 20 August 1992 v Pakistan
Career statistics
Competition Tests ODIs
Matches 17 53
Runs scored 263 98
Batting average 15.47 6.53
100s/50s /1 /
Top score 59 18*
Balls bowled 3927 2793
Wickets 55 58
Bowling average 34.01 33.48
5 wickets in innings 2
10 wickets in match n/a
Best bowling 5/48 4/31
Catches/stumpings 9/ 7/
Source: Cricinfo, 24 September 2005

Gladstone Cleophas Small (born 18 October 1961 in St. George, Barbados)[1] is an English former cricketer, who played in seventeen Tests and fifty three ODIs for England.

The cricket writer Colin Bateman commented, "Gladstone Small overcame a hunched physique to become a remarkably effective fast-medium bowler and one of the most popular characters on the county circuit".[1]

Life and career

Small was born in Barbados, and moved to England shortly after his fourteenth birthday, usually the point after which a change of nationality is not permitted. However, he applied for eligibility to play cricket for England, and the MCC accepted his application.

As a cricketer, Small did not have an outstanding reputation but was highly regarded as a committed team player. Primarily he bowled outswing, but his propensity for unreliable bowling gave selectors cause for concern. However, during the 1986-87 Ashes, Small was a last minute replacement for the fourth Test, and rose to the challenge, taking 5-48 in Australia's first innings and claiming two wickets in the second. He was given the Man of the Match award, but this was to be the highlight of his career.

Small was in England's squad for both the 1987 and 1992 Cricket World Cups.[1] He was integral to the strong Warwickshire side of 1994, but retired soon after. Later, he became a director of the Professional Cricketers' Association.

Small has Klippel-Feil syndrome, which accounts for his distinctive "no neck" appearance.[2]

In 2003, Small appeared in the television series Celebrity Poker Club. His life story was made into a documentary by director Pogus Caesar in 1995, and broadcast on Carlton Television for the Respect television series.

Small was one of the members of the England beach cricket team in 2006-07 and 2007-08.

He is a graduate of Manchester Metropolitan University.[3]

References

  1. 1.0 1.1 1.2 Bateman, Colin (1993). If The Cap Fits. Tony Williams Publications. p. 148. ISBN 1-869833-21-X.
  2. Hughes, Simon (1997-09-05). "Small gains from wealth of partners". Cricinfo. Retrieved 2007-04-19.
  3. "Notable Alumni in Sport". Manchester Metropolitan University. Retrieved 24 November 2009.

External links