David played 23 matches for Derbyshire between 1970 and 1972 and my Dad and I saw a fair few of them. Tall and powerfully built, the left armer could bowl with surprising pace and, with Chris Armishaw, suggested the traditional rich county seam bowling strength was well-stocked. With Mike Hendrick and Alan Ward ahead of them, the next generation looked to be in place under the tutelage of Edwin Smith, the county coach at the time.
Yet it didn't materialise. By 1972 Ward's best days were already behind him, while Armishaw, after displays suggesting genuine promise, preferred a solid career in banking over the 'gamble' of a less lucrative first-class cricket career. He was to go on to become the scourge of league batters for many seasons thereafter.
David Wilde looked set to offer a useful variation, as left-armers always do, but the javelin throwing of his youth left him with an inconsistency in his action which was noted on the circuit. He took wickets and bowled well in some of those matches, with a first-class best of 3-27 to go with a Sunday best of 3-31, but attempts to resolve the occasional 'kink' in his arm were unsuccessful.
For a county that had endured unjust scrutiny of both Harold Rhodes and Peter Eyre in the previous decade, it was important to be seen to be keeping their house in order and Wilde was released at the end of the 1972 season.
His county career was brief, but there are plenty of us who have sat around the boundary edge over the years have never done that.
Rest in peace, David. My condolences go to family and friends at this sad time.
More sad news. I remember him quite well. He definitely looked fast, but as you say, he was a bit raw. In a strong and settled team, he'd have had more chance to develop, perhaps.
ReplyDeleteI remember him playing ina Sunday league match.he was fielding at deep third m.an .his throws to Bob were so strong Bob had to keep jumping up tocatch the ball some wicket keepers would have made a fuss. BOB gently with his hands indicated to throw a bit lower which he did
ReplyDeleteNot very often at all that I disagree with your spot-on analysis, Steve, but I’ve got to say that I was always dubious about the chucking allegations, even as a kid. Maybe I bought into what my Grandad always told me, but I suspect that they wanted him off the books to save money and it was a handy excuse. There was no need for them to demonise him. Only my opinion, but I thought the club served him very badly. RIP David.
ReplyDeleteAndy T Cleckheaton
I thought he looked good Andy, but in many conversations with former players of the period, this was a recurring theme when his name was mentioned. And increased exposure on the circuit only added to the concern. Not every ball, but perhaps when he put a bit more into it.
DeleteAs usual j forgot my name sorry malbar
ReplyDeleteIn recent years he had a stall in Glossop indoor market (before the market upgrade) selling suitcase and bags of varying descriptions.
ReplyDeleteEx Manchester united player of the 1960’s John Aston junior had an adjacent stall selling pet foods.
Always pleasant, I remember relating a story about Chris Wilkins reported on this site to him which he found quite amusing. This is what you wrote:
Alan Hill told me that he was also the first player he saw play a switch hit, in the nets at Derby, when he hit David Wilde, no slouch, a country mile from a left-handed position
RIP David
Nice to hear from you Peakview! Yes, Alan told me that and I appreciate the update on what he did after his cricket days ended. Hope you are keeping well
DeleteYes keeping well, hope to catch up with you during the coming campaign
DeleteRe your comment re preferring a career in Banking Derbyshire offered me a contract in the 70's at the time I was working at Midland Bank for £90 per month and getting £5 per game in the Yorkshire league. Derbyshire offer was for 6 months work April/Sept for £450 but no league cricket And at the time there was record unemployment so winter work was hard to get. What would you have done?
ReplyDeleteExactly the same. No criticism implied nor intended and Harold Rhodes retired early for similar reasons. We all have decisions to make in life and balance family/recreation/work/life. I merely reported what happened, Chris and in your situation would have done exactly the same.
DeleteAs a wise man once said, you are a long time retired, in sport!