Mike Page

Mike Page passed away over the weekend, another link gone from the team that I saw in my first viewing of Derbyshire County Cricket Club, in 1967. Only five of them left now, sadly.

He made a typically stylish 88 in the first innings of that match against Yorkshire, sharing a partnership of 96 for the second wicket with Peter Gibbs which my Dad called 'one for the connoisseur', though pronounced 'connor sewer', in the way that they did, where he came from.

Both were front of the wicket players and were half of a top four, with David Smith and Chris Wilkins, that in 1970 looked very good indeed. Some very good judges around the circuit felt Mike should have been considered for England around that time, but competition was fierce and he never got the recognition - nor perhaps scored quite the runs - that were required to make the very highest level. 

But when he was good, he was very, very good, a bit like that little girl with the curl in the poem by Henry Longfellow. He had a secure defence, a graceful array of shots and an ability against spin that was better than most, not just in Derbyshire, but on the county circuit. This was never better illustrated than against Leicestershire at Grace Road in 1973, when he made 96 out of a team total of 198 in the first innings, followed by 67 in the second. This against Illingworth, Birkenshaw, Steele and Balderstone, spinners all. 

It was a surprise when he was released at the end of 1975, because he still seemed to have something to offer. It wasn't a strong side, but he was second top scorer and it surprised then, as it still does. Over eleven thousand runs he scored in the first-class game, between 1964 and 1975, which hints at his consistency on uncovered pitches, and as part of a batting line up that often wasn't.

He was also an outstanding fielder. Anywhere his captains chose to put him really, but especially at slip or short leg. He held 249 for the county and often made the difficult look a matter of routine, a sure indication of high quality hand/eye coordination. 

He was a character, with a fund of stories and a regular smile.

He will be missed.

Rest in peace, Mike .