Mike Gatting

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Mike Gatting
England (ENG)
Mike Gatting
Batting style Right-hand bat (RHB)
Bowling type Right-arm medium (RM)
Tests ODIs
Matches 79 92
Runs scored 4,409 2,095
Batting average 35.55 29.50
100s/50s 10/21 1/9
Top score 207 115*
Overs bowled 125.2 65.2
Wickets 4 10
Bowling average 79.25 33.60
5 wickets in innings 0 0
10 wickets in match 0 N/A
Best bowling 1/14 3/32
Catches/stumpings 59 22/0

As of 29 June 2005
Source: Cricinfo.com

Michael William Gatting (born June 6, 1957), usually known as Mike, is an English cricketer who played first-class cricket for Middlesex County Cricket Club. He also played for the English cricket team from 1977 to 1994, captaining it in 23 Test matches between 1986 and 1988.

Gatting was one of the most prolific batsmen in English domestic cricket virtually throughout his career, but it took him several years to establish himself in the England team, as he initially had great difficulty converting fifties into centuries at test match level. His first test century finally arrived after 54 test innings and he eventually accumulated ten of them. He captained England to an Ashes series victory in Australia in 1986/87. Later that year came the "Shakoor Rana affair" when Gatting argued with a Pakistani umpire in Faisalabad. The England hierarchy supported him in Pakistan, but he was sacked as England captain the following summer over an alleged encounter with a barmaid. He subsequently led a highly controversial rebel tour to South Africa.

In June 1993 at Old Trafford Gatting received Shane Warne's first delivery in an Ashes match. Warne pitched the ball a foot outside leg stump, and spun the ball past Gatting's bat to clip the off bail. This is sometimes referred to as the Ball of the Century. Another mishap for which Gatting will be remembered is being caught by Australian wicketkeeper Greg Dyer after trying to play a reverse sweep off opposing captain Allan Border's first ball during the 1987 World Cup final.


Career record First-class List A
Matches 551 551
Runs scored 36,549 14,476
Batting average 49.52 33.74
100s/50s 94/181 12/87
Top score 258 143*
Balls bowled 10,061 6,234
Wickets 158 175
Bowling average 29.76 27.52
5 (FC)/4 (List A) wickets in innings 2 4
10 wickets in match 0 N/A
Best Bowling 5/34 6/26
Catches/Stumpings 493/0 177/0
As of 29 June 2005
Source: [1]
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Gatting was a useful right arm medium pace bowler. He averaged under thirty with the ball in both first class and List A cricket, but he did not bowl with great frequency.

Gatting was named as one of Wisden's five Cricketers of the Year in 1984. He retired from first class cricket in 1998 and has since worked as a coach and commentator. He is the current President of the Lord's Taverners for 2005/2006.


Preceded by:
David Gower
English national cricket captain
1986-1988
Succeeded by:
John Emburey

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