Only twice during their charge to retaining the championship title in 1995 did Warwickshire have to bounce back from a defeat.
In early May, they lost to Lancashire by six wickets at Old Trafford – and responded with a resounding victory over Durham in the first first-class match at the Riverside. Then at the end of July the Bears, by now clear at the top, faced second-placed Northamptonshire at Edgbaston – and, in a game widely-felt to be among the best championship matches ever, lost by seven runs.
Had they won, Dermot Reeve’s men would have had the title pretty much sealed before August. Instead, Allan Lamb’s Northants closed to within two points.
It was great for us batters that season because, with A.D in our side, a lot of counties prepared pitches like puddings, really slow. So you’d turn up and it was a beautiful flat wicket, as it was at Northlands Road.What they didn’t realise was that AD’s pace actually came through the air. He didn’t need it off the pitch.
Wasim Khan
Next up for the Bears, a tricky trip to Hampshire. Their response could not have been more emphatic – an innings victory powered by the brilliance of Keith Piper, the pace of Allan Donald, the spin of Neil Smith and a career-best 181 from 24-year-old opening batsman Wasim Khan, playing only his seventh championship match.
With a flat pitch and in baking sunshine, it was a great toss to win. Hampshire won it, batted – and were hustled out for 225. Tim Munton and Donald shared five wickets while spinners Ashley Giles and Smith nipped out three. All were assisted by the sublime skills of Piper who took four catches and a stumping.
The Bears then wobbled to 32 for two and closed the first day on 65 for two with Khan on 24 and nightwatchman Piper 27. Next day, those two and Trevor Penney put their side in complete control. Khan and Piper added 148 before Piper fell agonisingly for 99, then Khan and Penney (85) added 208.
For Birmingham-born Khan, a maiden-century was close to becoming a maiden double-century when he was bowled by Cardigan Connor for 181. He walked off Northlands Road, after nearly eight hours batting, with the Bears’ title push firmly back on track.
“It was one of the hottest days of the year and a really good batting track,” recalls Khan, now chief executive of the Pakistan Cricket Board. “It was great for us batters that season because, with A.D in our side, a lot of counties prepared pitches like puddings, really slow. So you’d turn up and it was a beautiful flat wicket, as it was at Northlands Road. What they didn’t realise was that AD’s pace actually came through the air. He didn’t need it off the pitch.
“I was so proud to score my maiden century. I had a bit of luck along the way – on 49 I was dropped by Paul Terry, who never used to drop anything at slip, and I was also dropped in the 70s. But I vividly remember the moment when Shaun Udal dropped one short and I rocked back and smacked him through the covers to reach 100.
“It was an amazing feeling and most important to me was that I had actually made a contribution in a meaningful way. Trev Penney and Dom Ostler had scored plenty of hundreds but I’d scored 50s, 60s and 70s but never got that elusive hundred.
“Once there I was determined to go on. In the end I was out an hour before the close and we batted on next day so I was a little bit gutted as I was close to 200.”
Reeve capitalised on a weary Hampshire attack with an unbeaten 77 before declaring with the Bears on 535 for eight, a lead of 310. Second time round the home side at first made a fight of it, as openers Terry and Jason Laney added 111. But after they fell to Smith and Donald respectively, the last nine wickets fell in the final session of the third day. Smith’s six for 72 sealed victory by an innings and 89 runs.
Piper added four more catches to finish the match with 99 runs and nine dismissals – while Smith’s haul included a rarity pretty much exclusive to the summer of ’95. Standing next to Piper at slip…one Allan Donald.
“Yes, I ended up at slip somehow,” recalls A.D. “That year Derm came to me during a practice session and said: ‘I want you to go in at slip.’ I said: ‘Me – slip?!’ and he said: ‘I think you’ve got good hands.’
“They were four very hot days at Southampton so maybe part of it was that Derm wanted to give me a bit of a rest, but I caught Adrian Aymes, off Neil, when the ball hit me on shoulder blade! That year I took a few catches at slip. When I got back to South Africa I said to Hansie Cronje: ‘I fielded at slip!’ and he just smiled and said: ‘—- off.'”
