Favourite cricketers 9 - Bob Taylor

There was a time, before the arrival on the scene of overseas players, when the best aspect of Derbyshire cricket was watching Bob Taylor catch the ball.

Note I said "watch". There was no sound as the ball was taken by the most consummately professional wicket keeper I ever expect to see. We are now in an era when wicket -keepers are changed by the series, but in the 1960's and 70's there were two who were light years ahead of what was a very good pack.

John Murray, Jim Parks, Brian Taylor, Eifion Jones, Roger Tolchard, Ron Swetman - there were some fine keepers and several got England call ups for their batting ability as much as their glovework. Nothing changes huh?

Alan Knott was the daddy of them all. Puck-like, agile, fast on his feet and fastidious, Knott was an outstanding wicket-keeper, one of the best ever. He had to be to keep "brilliant Bob" out of the England side.

Bob could bat, no doubt about it, but a career average of around 17 didn't suggest a mercurial batting talent. He saved many a match with a dogged innings, however, and won a few one day games with a quick 20 or 30. One of only two men to pass 10,000 first class runs without scoring a century, he always battled. But with his gloves on, behind the stumps, he was an artiste. While he dropped an occasional catch, it was occasional, and his agility standing back was astonishing. To be fair, he used it rarely, as his footwork got him into the right position for all but the most wayward bowling. Up to the stumps he was sensational, and a batsman went down the track at his peril. He eventually won over 50 England caps and a reputation as one of the nicest men in the game.

The selection of a Derbyshire greats side is always fascinating, with choice of seam bowlers a real headache. Despite the option of fine players like Harry Elliott, George Dawkes and Karl Krikken, no one - absolutely no one - would go past Bob Taylor as wicket keeper. He was THAT good.