David Bairstow - England - Batsman

A key man in England's domestic cricket during the 1970s and 80s, David Bairstow was a wicketkeeper batsman by design but his contribution went beyond the cricketing field. A man with fighting temperament, David made over 13,000 First-class runs and effected over 1000 dismissals. He wasn't technically a proper wicketkeeper in terms of orthodox methods but was mighty effective. With the bat in hand, David was extremely aggressive and adventurous with the ability to get under the opposition's skin. No situation scared him, as evident from a List A game when he smashed six sixes in the final over with 35 required to take his team across the line.

David loved playing the shorter format and often played significant knocks that weren't always big in number but definitely huge in its impact. He played only a handful of Tests for England but managed to stick around longer in ODIs due to his aggressive brand of cricket with the bat. Either ways, he couldn't replicate the kind of success that he achieved in the County circuit with Yorkshire. A rigid character who was mentally tough as nails. It was due to his determination that he was able to make the most of his career despite not being extremely talented.

A stubborn personality, it was difficult to keep David away from Yorkshire cricket, even when he was past his prime and captaining the side. Eventually, he had to be dropped although he was later recalled for an exhibition game in the West Indies for Yorkshire. His son Andrew couldn't last long, having played a bit for Derbyshire but his younger son Jonny seemed destined for fame and is now an integral part of England cricket since 2016. It's a pity that David couldn't live on to see all this. At the age of 46, he was found hanging at his home in 1998. He had been suffering from extreme depression due to financial crisis compounded due to his wife's illness. The news shocked the cricket world because David had been such a tough persona.

Written by Hariprasad Sadanandan