by Abhishek Mukherjee
Graham Gooch made his Test debut on 10 July 1975, against the touring Australians. Here is a little story from that day.
England had been annihilated 1-4 Down Under. Months later, the Australians paid a return visit for the inaugural World Cup and a 4-Test series, one that is usually remembered for Michael Angelow, the streaker, and the vandalising of the Headingley pitch.
Given the drubbing in Australia, the English selectors needed a batsman who could stand up against pace. Len Hutton spotted a young Graham Gooch when the touring Australians played MCC at Lord's.
The Australian attack included Lillee, Thomson, and Gilmour, but Gooch, with 75, rescued them from 11/3. A week later, he made his Test debut in the first Test, at Edgbaston.
Gooch looked a lot different those days. That Zapata moustache was still a thing of the future. He was nervous that day, despite the presence of his Essex captain Keith Fletcher in the Test side.
Then, during a tense breakfast on the morning of the Test, Gooch saw Hutton stopping by him for what he expected to be a word of encouragement. He needed the motivation, and who could be better than one of the greatest batsmen in history?
"Good luck," uttered Hutton, before going on to ask: "Tell me, young man, have you played against the Australians before?"
Gooch later admitted that he was sure Hutton had asked the question in jest. After a moment's indecision he blurted out: "Yes, Sir, you're one of the selectors who picked me after I scored 75 against them for MCC at Lord's last week."
Exactly what impact the words had on Gooch is unknown. What is known is that he edged one to Marsh off Walker in the first innings and got a vicious lifter from Thomson in the second. He lasted 3 and 7 balls respectively, and registered a pair.