Mike Gatting bats questions from fans at Telford pub
Howzat! Visitors to a pub in Shropshire were bowled over when legendary ex-England cricketer Mike Gatting stopped by to share his memories of the game.
The 57-year-old visited the Malt Shovel in Leegomery, Telford, last night for a question and answer sessions with fans.
He said he was impressed with cricketing facilities in Shropshire and the efforts being made in the county to get young people involved in the game at an early age.
Pub regulars and cricket fans also had the chance to to have their photograph taken with Gatting during the evening.
Gatting said: "It is very nice to be back in Shropshire. It is a very nice place. The last time I came was last year when I visited Wrekin College.
"I think they do a great job up here with the cricket.
"It has grown over the years and a lot of people have worked hard to improve it.
"The schools here and their facilities are fantastic."
Despite being impressed with the cricket facilities in Shropshire, Gatting admits it will be difficult for the county to gain first class status.
"I don't think it will happen in my era," he said.
"Despite being a really nice place, it can be difficult to get to.
"It has got the ability to produce good players but I am not sure it will be able to produce 11 at a time."
In June 1993, during England's first innings at Old Trafford, Gatting received Shane Warne's first delivery – now known as the "Ball of the Century" – 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.
Gatting added: "A lot of people ask me about that and say how did you miss it? It is a fantastic piece of history."
The visit was organised after landlords Jo and AJ Dando entered a competition with official England cricket team sponsors Marston's Pedigree in June and were drawn as the lucky recipients of a night with the current MCC president.
Mr Dando, who has been landlord at the Malt Shovel for 12 months, said he was thrilled to win the competition and hoped Gatting's visit would boost the pub's coffers.
"We are very pleased to have Mike Gatting here," he said. He is a lovely guy and it has been brilliant chatting to him.
"I certainly know a lot more about cricket than I did before."
Gatting played first-class cricket for Middlesex from 1975 to 1998 and for England from 1977 to 1995, captaining the national side in 23 test matches between 1986 and 1988.
