by The Professor » Sun Aug 14, 2016 8:23 am
On this day in 1967 no play was possible between England and Pakistan due to rain, so we shall focus on two debutants for the England side.
In the long and (sometimes) illustrious history of the England Board of Selectors there can't have been many days at the office better than when they chose two young players to make their debuts against Pakistan in this second Test of the series. Geoff Arnold, a 23 year old Surrey bowler, and Alan Knott, a 21 year old Kent wicket keeper batsman, were two of six changes between the first and second Test but were the only two debutants.
Neither of these two players were huge shock inclusions - both had done enough to justify their inclusion in the Test squad. In the 1966 season Arnold had claimed 109 wickets and Knott had been named Cricket Writers' Club Young Cricketer of the Year two seasons previous. Their selection was a matter of when rather than if.
Both players were immediate successes in the first innings of the Test. Knott had a hand in three Pakistan dismissals including two of the top three. Arnold got figures of 3-35. That Arnold impressed more with the bat than Knott came as a surprise but altogether their first innings spell with the ball justified their inclusion.
The two men went on to make a combined 129 Tests for the club. Knott was by far the most successful. By 1968 he was a regular starter for the team and went from strength to strength. In 1970 he was Wisden's Cricketer of the Year. By the late 1970s he blotted his copybook somewhat by signing on to the much maligned World Series of Cricket but, unlike others, earned his Test place back after that. Many consider him the best wicketkeeper batsmen England have ever had. Arnold's position in the team was less explosive. He did not manage to become a regular fixture in the team until the early 1970s - primarily due to injury. He is better known as a coach now than for his 34 appearances for England but his performances bs India especially where always something special.
"It has been said of the unseen army of the dead, on their everlasting march, that when they are passing a rural cricket ground the Englishman falls out of the ranks for a moment to look over the gate and smile."