Mike Gatting is one of the most accomplished cricketers in English cricket history. Born on June 6, 1957, in Kingsbury, London, Gatting started playing cricket at a young age and went on to represent Middlesex and England at the highest level. He is known for his flamboyant batting style, strong leadership, and controversial moments on and off the field. In this blog, we will explore the life and career of Mike Gatting, from his early days to his retirement from international cricket.
Early Days:
Gatting’s love for cricket began at an early age, and he started playing the game with his father in his backyard. He attended Hendon School, where he played for the school’s cricket team. Gatting’s talent as a cricketer was spotted by Middlesex County Cricket Club, and he joined their youth team.
Career with Middlesex:
Gatting made his first-class debut for Middlesex in 1975, and it was the beginning of a long and successful career with the club. He quickly established himself as a reliable batsman, and his performances helped Middlesex win the County Championship in 1976, 1977, and 1980.
In 1984, Gatting was appointed as the captain of Middlesex, and he led the team to several more County Championship titles. Under his captaincy, Middlesex won the championship in 1985, 1990, and 1993. Gatting was known for his aggressive captaincy, and he encouraged his team to play with a positive mindset.
Gatting’s batting was the cornerstone of Middlesex’s success, and he scored over 21,000 runs in first-class cricket for the club. He was also a successful limited-overs player, and he helped Middlesex win the Gillette Cup in 1980 and 1982.
International Career:
Gatting made his international debut for England in 1977, but he had to wait several years to establish himself in the team. He became a regular member of the England team in the early 1980s, and he played a vital role in England’s series win against Australia in 1985.
Gatting’s most memorable moment in international cricket came in the 1986-87 Ashes series in Australia. In the second Test at the WACA, Gatting scored a magnificent 160, which helped England win the Test by an innings and 94 runs. The innings was a masterclass in batting, as Gatting dominated the Australian bowling attack with his aggressive strokeplay.
Gatting’s captaincy stint with England was not as successful as his tenure with Middlesex. He was appointed as the captain in 1986, but he was sacked from the role in 1988 after a controversial decision to tour South Africa. Gatting’s decision to tour South Africa went against the British government’s policy of sporting sanctions against apartheid, and he faced severe criticism from the media and the public.
Controversies:
Gatting was no stranger to controversies, and he was involved in several incidents on and off the field. The most infamous incident involving Gatting came in the 1993 Ashes series in England. In the first Test at Old Trafford, Gatting had a heated argument with umpire Shakoor Rana, which led to Gatting accusing Rana of making a racist remark. The incident caused a diplomatic row between England and Pakistan, and it took several months to resolve the issue.
Gatting’s playing career ended in 1998, and he finished with over 14,000 runs in international cricket. He was a successful commentator after retirement, and he was also involved in coaching and administration. Gatting was appointed as the managing director of the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) in 2007, a role he held until 2008. He was also a member of the ICC Cricket Committee, and he served as the president of the Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) in 2013-14.
Achievements and Records:
Mike Gatting’s career is full of achievements and records. He scored 40 first-class centuries in his career, with a highest score of 333 not out. He scored 14,829 runs in first-class cricket, and he also took 158 wickets with his off-spin bowling.
In international cricket, Gatting scored 4,409 runs in Test cricket, with a highest score of 207. He scored 10 centuries and 23 half-centuries in Test cricket, and he also took 23 wickets with his bowling. In One Day Internationals (ODIs), Gatting scored 5,062 runs, with a highest score of 166 not out. He scored 10 centuries and 33 half-centuries in ODIs, and he also took 18 wickets with his bowling.
Gatting’s contribution to English cricket has been immense, and he was awarded an OBE in 1994 for his services to the sport. He was also inducted into the Middlesex and MCC Hall of Fame for his achievements in cricket.
Conclusion:
Mike Gatting is one of the most iconic cricketers in English cricket history. He had a long and successful career with Middlesex, where he won several County Championship titles. He was also a key member of the England team, and he played a vital role in many of England’s victories in international cricket.
Gatting’s aggressive batting style and his strong leadership skills made him a popular figure in English cricket. However, his career was not without controversies, and he was involved in several incidents on and off the field. Despite these controversies, Gatting remains one of the most respected figures in English cricket, and his contributions to the sport will be remembered for years to come.
