David Steele had a sensational start to his Test career in the summer of 1975. It earned him two great honours – BBC Sports Personality of the Year and Wisden Cricketer of the Year.
David Steele enjoyed another successful summer against West Indies in 1976, but was then dropped by England and never called up again. He played in eight Tests, scoring 673 runs at 42.06.
Few events in the heady summer of 1975 occasioned greater public delight than the part played by David Stanley Steele in rousing England from fast-fading faith to the dignity of a fighting force at least able to match Australia on equal terms.
Test cricket has not enjoyed such a romantic story for decades. In the space of three matches, and at the age of 33, after twelve seasons with Northamptonshire on the county circuit, Steele emerged as the much-needed national hero with the skill, nerve and character to stand up and offer fair fight to Lillee, Thomson and Co. His selection in the shake-up following the disaster at Edgbaston was inspired.
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He applied a refreshingly new outlook, confidence and patriotism to a daunting task, and perfectly complemented the drive of the captain, Tony Greig. At the end of the series Greig said that Steele’s inclusion was the best thing that had happened to England – and none challenged the opinion as exaggerated praise.
Steele, born at Stoke-on-Trent on September 29, 1941, did more than accumulate 365 runs and bat almost without fault for 19 hours in six innings. He showed how a sensible technique, concentration and courage could be an effective shield to the brilliant aggression of Lillee, at least on English pitches. Here was a batsman, not in mourning for the recent past or overawed by occasions, but cocking a snook at bowlers who had carried all before them for so long.
“I regard it as a tremendous privilege to play for my country,” he pronounces with simple directness. “It makes you want to try until it hurts.”
Hard-headed common sense has always been one of his virtues. Before he tried his luck as a full-time county pro he completed a six-year apprenticeship as a printer. Now in the off-season he acts as a sales representative for Staples Printers (London), operating from his home at Kettering where he lives with his wife Carol, and baby son Arran.
Steele’s success not only served England nobly in a time of crisis – and with the prospect of better things to come – but was a triumph for the player who never gives up and would not demean himself by offering his second best.
