Such was the proliferation of high-class West Indian fast bowlers in the 1970s and 80s that Wayne Daniel only played 10 Test matches. A muscular and devastatingly quick bowler, in any other era the Bajan would have been a Test great. Not that Middlesex were complaining.
West Indies’ loss proved to be county cricket’s gain as Wayne Daniel, with his raw pace and relentless drive, propelled Middlesex to their most successful period in history, writes Rob Johnston.
Daniel’s lack of international commitments, in part because of his involvement with World Series Cricket, meant he chalked up 422 matches for the county between 1977 and 1988 in which he took more than 1,000 wickets. He was integral to Middlesex’s County Championship title wins in 1980, ‘82 and ’85, as well as the six one-day trophies collected in that period.
Daniel was quite a character, too. “He was very good company off the field,” recalls Gatting. “He had a wicked sense of humour and he got on famously with women. Sometimes you didn’t see him on away trips. He’d come and have a drink and then sidle off quietly. There are many funny stories about Wayne and his antics.”
Despite the lack of international cricket on his CV, Daniel is, without doubt, one of the finest overseas imports to grace the county game. His pace, stamina and attitude were vital ingredients to a hugely successful Middlesex team. A true diamond indeed.
First published in November 2016
