Cheers To Overseas Stars' 50 Years Of Service...
The Cricket Paper|April 06,2018

Everyone will have their favourite overseas pro in county cricket – they’ve been decorating our summer game for 50 years now.

Derek Pringle
Cheers To Overseas Stars' 50 Years Of Service...

It may not even have been one who played for your team. My own was Ken McEwan, with whom I played at Essex, but Malcolm Marshall would have run him close with his unstinting service for Hampshire.

Both men were beloved by team and supporters alike, mostly because they played so long for their respective counties that they became part of the family – and county teams in their era, the 1970s and 80s, were just like big, messy families.

But were they successful in bringing home the bacon for their teams? Few could match Marshall’s incredible wicket-taking prowess, but although he took over 1,000 first-class wickets for Hampshire over 11 seasons, they never won a County Championship title with him in the side. In fact, he had little to show for his perennial dominance over batsmen other than two Benson and Hedges titles and a Sunday League trophy, small beer for the sheer effort and brilliance he gave in equal measure.

McEwan, a quiet and clubbable South African, was a batsman of silky but punishing strokes, a bit like a sporting Madam Whiplash. He won three Championships with Essex, three Sunday League titles, a Benson and Hedges Cup and one NatWest Trophy. In those three Championship campaigns he scored 4,868 runs at 52.3, by some distance more than anyone else at the club, including Graham Gooch.

With counties allowed two overseas players from 1970-85, McEwan shared the stage for many of Essex’s successes with Norbert Phillip, an all-rounder from the West Indies. A fine player, Phillip was more a utilitarian signing than a game-changing one unlike Kenny Mac, whose contributions to Essex’s success were stellar.

This story is from the April 06,2018 edition of The Cricket Paper.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

This story is from the April 06,2018 edition of The Cricket Paper.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

MORE STORIES FROM THE CRICKET PAPERView All
Kohli leads RCB to much-needed win
The Cricket Paper

Kohli leads RCB to much-needed win

VIRAT KOHLI returned to top form with 72 not out to lead RCB to an eight-wicket victory over the Royals in Abu Dhabi.

time-read
3 mins  |
October 04, 2020
TEWATIA HAS SPARKED MY LOVE AFFAIR WITH THE IPL
The Cricket Paper

TEWATIA HAS SPARKED MY LOVE AFFAIR WITH THE IPL

James Wallace admits he has been surprisingly taken in by the IPL so far – and, in particular, the performance of a new Royal renegade

time-read
4 mins  |
October 04, 2020
Whitewash victory is just the T20 tonic for Keightley
The Cricket Paper

Whitewash victory is just the T20 tonic for Keightley

A SERIES that few thought would come to fruition ended in triumph for England who completed a 5-0 whitewash of the West Indies in Derby.

time-read
4 mins  |
October 04, 2020
TEN OUT OF TEN! RYAN IS BASKING IN MORE GLORY
The Cricket Paper

TEN OUT OF TEN! RYAN IS BASKING IN MORE GLORY

Chris Stocks catches up with Ryan ten Doeschate, who has plotted Essex’s recent county domination every step of the way

time-read
5 mins  |
October 04, 2020
Surrey have the Will to end hoodoo
The Cricket Paper

Surrey have the Will to end hoodoo

WILL Jacks may be a hot batting prospect but he’s relished the added responsibility with the ball in Surrey’s charge to T20 Finals Day.

time-read
3 mins  |
October 04, 2020
NOW IT'S OUR TIME TO HELP OTHERS
The Cricket Paper

NOW IT'S OUR TIME TO HELP OTHERS

Chris Stocks catches up with England’s director of cricket and discusses the need for the ECB to help boards around the world

time-read
4 mins  |
October 04, 2020
IT'S OFTEN DOWN TO A THROW OF THE DICE
The Cricket Paper

IT'S OFTEN DOWN TO A THROW OF THE DICE

Garfield Robinson explains just how big a part luck plays in determining success or failure in sport

time-read
6 mins  |
October 04, 2020
FINDING TALENTS LIKE TOM IS A GAIN IN ITSELF
The Cricket Paper

FINDING TALENTS LIKE TOM IS A GAIN IN ITSELF

One of the unexpected highlights to emerge from English cricket’s Covid-attenuated season was the chance given to young players to strut their stuff. With many overseas players and Kolpaks affected by travel restrictions many counties looked instead to the young talent on their staffs with gratifying results.

time-read
5 mins  |
October 04, 2020
Future looks bright for the Ohio Slinger
The Cricket Paper

Future looks bright for the Ohio Slinger

ALI Khan is earning his stars and stripes in the Indian Premier League, with the first American to play in the tournament breaking down barriers in every sense.

time-read
3 mins  |
October 04, 2020
Spin trio put squeeze on after Glenn shows off skill with the bat
The Cricket Paper

Spin trio put squeeze on after Glenn shows off skill with the bat

SARAH GLENN helped England spin it to win it after proving she can make an all-round contribution.

time-read
2 mins  |
September 27, 2020