'Derek Pringle was bigger than I remember..' St Johns Wood Road, London Middlesex England

In the 1980s he was a regular fixture in Test and ODI squads for England over a nine year international career.

My memories were of a slim young man who chunked out a little in later years. He always seemed to be striding out to bat after an England middle order collapse. Taking guard to Malcolm Marshall with what might as well have been a hockey stick for all the good it wouldve done. He was part of the generation of England cricketers like Graham Dilley. They looked liked ordinary guys, not like the clean cut young dudes who populate the team today.

I often wondered what he looked like in real life and one time I was working on the Upper Mound stand I found out. As was finishing everyone was scurrying back to their seats. And there he was, sailing serenely through the crowd. His path opening up in front of him like frozen polar seas in front of an ice breaker. He was head and shoulders above his peers, the guy is IMMENSE. What really struck me was the look of complete contentment on Mr Pringle's face. He'd obviously enjoyed a very pleasing lunch and was calmly returning to his seat.

The contrast between him and all the ordinary mortals was clear to see. Pringle made his peers look weedy and harassed in comparison.

It'll be a memory that sticks in my mind for a very long time.