• The forums will be unavailable for a few hours on Saturday 6th June, when they do return they will initially be in a degraded state with some features missing, but normal posting/reading will be possible. The main website will not be affected by these updates.
    New user registrations are currently disabled.
    Some other features of the forum are also currently disabled.

Wayne Larkins RIP

David Brent said:
96 that mate, I would have been at backward point. Top fella the bar was class in those days (then down to the Dunn Cow which he 'rented' a property next too). Stories were amazing.
He used to drink with Dave Borthwick :lol: Absolute masters at supping,
Click to expand...
where has that time gone ! He got runs in both games against us without trying and it was a tough league then . Beaumont in that side as well ? Opening bowler had an interesting action . Hope it wasn’t you 😂
 

Why sack Durban said:
where has that time gone ! He got runs in both games against us without trying and it was a tough league then . Beaumont in that side as well ? Opening bowler had an interesting action . Hope it wasn’t you 😂
Click to expand...
Yep Shaq (Boro fan) had a questionable action :lol::lol: his lads both excellent players now - one at Sedge one at Darlo. Yeah Leigh Beaumont played in that side too.
 
Last edited:
A regular in the old Ladbrokes tent. Loved a brisk 60 odd before lunch, and a Lucky 15 to shout in for the afternoon session
 
was truly devastated to hear of the sudden death of Wayne Larkins at the weekend, aged 71. Larkins – Ned as he was known to everyone - was a batsman of rare gifts and individualism. He took on the world’s greatest bowlers – the faster the better – and frequently won, in a blaze of astonishing strokes, only to then be defeated by some anonymous dobber. He’d walk back to the dressing room, shrugging his shoulders, concealing an inner fury that he didn’t have the tunnel vision focus that a batsman needs to make the most of his talent, but happy that again he had tamed one of the game’s great tormentors.

He was intimidating to bowl at as he could take you apart with a languid pick up over square leg, a devastating pull and a lavish drive through or over extra cover, but you had to admire the panache. He was the best timer of a cricket ball I have ever seen – on a par with Jos Buttler or AB de Villiers - and a hugely reassuring presence in the dressing room because of his nonchalant dominance of the best fast bowlers in the world. They knew they had been ‘Nedded.’

THE CRICVERSE with Simon Hughes and Derek Pringle is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.
You must be logged on to see external links

He was a born entertainer and a happy-go-lucky character, always cheery in the dressing room even if himself had got out cheaply. I played with him for two years at Durham and soon noticed that he always arrived in the dressing room with his three essentials, his Stuart Surridge bat, a bottle of shampoo and 20 B&H. Happiness was reclining on the balcony after a scintillating 72, hair freshly washed, fag in hand, to cheer on the other batters.

It was a privilege to play with him and we would marvel at his strokeplay, and sit back and wallow as he sauntered out with his great mate and kindred spirit Ian Botham to open the batting in a one day game. It was pure indulgence watching, and you just felt relieved you weren’t out there bowling. Once out, his encouragement to the others was unstinting and his laugh infectious.

You must be logged on to see external links
Botham and Larkins walk out to bat in Durham’s first (one day) game as the 18th county.

He was quite elusive post-retirement – rarely attending player reunions, preferring to indulge his love of horse racing – but I did persuade him to be interviewed a couple of years ago in our virtual cricket club. Here’s an extract that I think encapsulates his character and our adoration of an amazing, generational talent that should have been recognised with more than 13 Test appearances. He was truly special.

You must be logged on to see external links



I joined Simon Hughes free email service and received emails sometimes daily. He also responds if you email back about anything cricket

This above was his tribute to Larkins
 
Parkside said:
See both England and Indian teams wore black armbands today out of respect for Wayne.
Durham v Surrey apparently didn't seem it appropriate.
Click to expand...

I'm amazed that Durham didn't wear armbands. I know he was a colourful character and was involved in a court case after he retired but that didn't stop Northants wearing black armbands and also had a minute's silence prior to their game.
 
Aidan11 said:
I'm amazed that Durham didn't wear armbands. I know he was a colourful character and was involved in a court case after he retired but that didn't stop Northants wearing black armbands and also had a minute's silence prior to their game.
Click to expand...
Sadly it didn't amaze me.
Excellent obituary in the Times.
You must be logged on to see external links

Excellent,obituary in the Times.
You must be logged on to see external links
 
Last edited:
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top