X-Nico

4 unusual facts about Mike Brearley


Graham Yallop

In his account of the 1978-79 Ashes series "The Ashes Retained" England captain Mike Brearley reported that the English players nicknamed Yallop "Banzai" because of his tendency to adopt suicidally attacking fields at all times, when on occasion a more defensive approach may have prevented the England team's free scoring.

Englishman Mike Brearley (his opposite number in the 1978–79 series) noted that Yallop used to "... slide his back foot to and fro in a grandmotherly shuffle ... More than most Test players, Yallop can range from the inept to the masterly."

Jim Watts

The next two summers saw his Northamptonshire team reach the Gillette Cup final, win the Benson & Hedges Cup (with Watts' tactical acumen seen to best advantage in an absorbing semi-final struggle against Mike Brearley's Middlesex at Lord's), and drag itself off the bottom of the Championship table.

Sir Donald Bradman Oration

The 11th Bradman Oration was delivered by former England captain Mike Brearley.


Keith Fletcher

His cricketing nous was used by both Tony Lewis and Tony Greig when they led the national team, but the appointment of Mike Brearley to the role in 1977 appeared to indicate that Fletcher's further involvement would be limited.

Osborne Avenue

Former England captain Mike Brearley and former England women's player Dorothy Macfarlane also gave their support to the campaign.

Peter Parfitt

Parfitt took over the captaincy at Middlesex when Fred Titmus stood down, but was not pleased to have only two seasons in charge, before Mike Brearley took over the role.


see also