Derek Randall - International Career

International Career

During the Centenary Test, Randall scored 174 at Melbourne, against an Australian attack led by Dennis Lillee. He famously doffed his cap to Lillee, after narrowly evading a savage bouncer, stating "No point in hitting me there mate, There's nothing in it". When finally dismissed he left the ground by the wrong gate, and found himself climbing up towards the Royal enclosure where Queen Elizabeth II was watching the day's play. "She was very nice about it," he told the BBC. "She smiled. Someone else quickly put me right."

He took the catch which clinched the Ashes in 1977 at Headingley, turning a cartwheel in celebration. Randall performed well against Australia, with the next tour in 1978/79 bringing a 5-1 Ashes win and two man of the match performances for Randall. His knock of 150 in a series dominated by fast bowlers being the highlight. Randall scored centuries against New Zealand and India, and one from the position of opener against Pakistan, but he struggled against the West Indian attack of 1984, when he was asked to bat at number three in the first two Test matches of the summer, never to return.

Randall was often the selectorial scapegoat for England's failings, and his Test batting positions ranged from number one to seven. Bateman commented about Randall, "he was always available, always loyal, and his Test average in no way flattered him". He played in more Tests than his Nottinghamshire alumni, such as Reg Simpson, Harold Larwood, Bill Voce, Joe Hardstaff senior, Joe Hardstaff junior and Arthur Shrewsbury.