Wayne Daniel: ‘The Diamond’ who drove Middlesex to success
by Rob Johnston 3 minute read
West Indies’ loss proved to be county cricket’s gain as Wayne Daniel, with his raw pace and relentless drive, propelled Middlesex to their most successful period in history, writes Rob Johnston.
Such was the proliferation of high-class West Indian fast bowlers in the 1970s and 80s that Wayne Daniel only played 10 Test matches. A muscular and devastatingly quick bowler, in any other era the Bajan would have been a Test great. Not that Middlesex were complaining.
Daniel’s lack of international commitments, in part because of his involvement with World Series Cricket, meant he chalked up 422 matches for the county between 1977 and 1988 in which he took more than 1,000 wickets. He was integral to Middlesex’s County Championship title wins in 1980, ‘82 and ’85, as well as the six one-day trophies collected in that period.
“We were so lucky that he didn’t play a lot more for the West Indies so we had one of their top line bowlers,” says Mike Gatting, Daniel’s former teammate and captain. “Hampshire had Malcolm Marshall but he went off to play Test matches. Wayne was with us all the time.
“He was amazing. The ability he had was huge, he bowled quick and I never, ever saw him not try. He was one of those players who wanted to play, would never cry off with a niggle and understood what it meant to be part of a team. That’s why he was nicknamed ‘The Diamond’, because he had such huge importance to the team.”
Wayne Daniel (left) with fellow Middlesex quick Vincent van der Bijl after their win over Surrey in the 1980 Gillette Cup final at Lord’s
Daniel’s exploits for Middlesex were central to their success during the 1980s. His influence benefitted his teammates too. “He helped other people,” remembers Gatting. “Mike Selvey was a fantastic swing bowler in his own right but with Wayne up the other end, and I don’t think Selve would mind me saying this, batsmen played a few more shots than they might otherwise have done at him, and that helped him. They were perfect partners.”
From a short run-up, Daniel attacked the crease at speed, almost throwing himself off his feet in delivery. Generating serious pace, it was an action that required huge strength and stamina to repeat ball after ball.
Given his performances for Middlesex, the lack of recognition by the West Indian selectors rankled. “I think he was frustrated but he was the type of guy who would be ready if needed,” says Gatting. “Sadly, the call never really came but of great credit to him, even when he knew he probably wouldn’t play, he still kept trying and performing.”
Daniel was quite a character, too. “He was very good company off the field,” recalls Gatting. “He had a wicked sense of humour and he got on famously with women. Sometimes you didn’t see him on away trips. He’d come and have a drink and then sidle off quietly. There are many funny stories about Wayne and his antics.”
Despite the lack of international cricket on his CV, Daniel is, without doubt, one of the finest overseas imports to grace the county game. His pace, stamina and attitude were vital ingredients to a hugely successful Middlesex team. A true diamond indeed.
We have a large database of Guyanese worldwide. Most of our readers are in the USA, Canada, and the UK. Our Blog and Newsletter would not only carry articles and videos on Guyana, but also other articles on a wide range of subjects that may be of interest to our readers in over 200 countries, many of them non-Guyanese We hope that you like our selections.
It is estimated that over one million Guyanese, when counting their dependents, live outside of Guyana. This exceeds the population of Guyana, which is now about 750,000. Many left early in the 50’s and 60’s while others went with the next wave in the 70’s and 80’s. The latest wave left over the last 20 years. This outflow of Guyanese, therefore, covers some three generations. This outflow still continues today, where over 80 % of U.G. graduates now leave after graduating. We hope this changes, and soon.
Guyanese, like most others, try to keep their culture and pass it on to their children and grandchildren. The problem has been that many Guyanese have not looked back, or if they did it was only fleetingly. This means that the younger generations and those who left at an early age know very little about Guyana since many have not visited the country. Also, if they do get information about Guyana, it is usually negative and thus the cycle of non-interest is cultivated.
This Guyana Diaspora Online Forum , along with its monthly newsletter, aims at bringing Guyanese together to support positive news, increase travel and tourism in Guyana and, in general, foster the birth of a new Guyana, which has already begun notwithstanding the negative news that grabs the headlines. As the editor and manager of the publication, I am committed to delivering Blog entries and Newsletters that are politically balanced, and focused on the positive ideas we wish to share and foster among Guyanese.
ketchim
Eid Mubarak !
(10.04.2024, 08:58)(08:58)
0
ketchim
Guyana Win the U-15 with Adrian Hetmeyer !
(04.04.2024, 13:28)(13:28)
0
ketchim
U-15 Guyana Hetmeyer doing great !
(01.04.2024, 22:35)(22:35)
0
Janiyah
Centuries for Tagenarine Chanderpaul and Tevin Imlach against Windward Islands in Antigua on day three.
Guyana declared on 224-2; Windwards need 420 runs to win.
Guyana 436 all out, Permaul 90*,Anderson 87, Sinclair 72, Imlach 55, Chanderpaul 40.Roach 2/52, Jason H. 2/52, Warrican 2/98.
(14.03.2024, 18:23)(18:23)
0
Madisyn
The United States will send a new military aid package for Ukraine worth $300 million, President Joe Biden's administration said on Tuesday, the first such move in months as additional funds for Kyiv remain blocked by Republican leaders in Congress
(12.03.2024, 20:23)(20:23)
0
ketchim
Ramadan BEGIND tonight !
(10.03.2024, 12:52)(12:52)
0
Sawyer
Heavy gunfire near Haiti's National Palace in Port-au-Prince
(09.03.2024, 19:34)(19:34)
0
Madisyn
Biden Signs $460 Billion Spending Package, Averting Government Shutdown
(09.03.2024, 18:57)(18:57)
0
Madisyn
Gaza ceasefire talks end with no breakthrough as Ramadan deadline looms
(05.03.2024, 07:05)(07:05)
0
Sawyer
Putin ally says 'Ukraine is Russia' and historical territory needs to 'come home'
(04.03.2024, 18:56)(18:56)
0
Madisyn
JetBlue, Spirit Airlines call off $3.8 bln merger on antitrust hurdle
(04.03.2024, 18:50)(18:50)
0
ketchim
165 not out ~
(24.02.2024, 17:38)(17:38)
0
ketchim
1658 to Kevin Sinclair ~
(24.02.2024, 17:38)(17:38)
0
ketchim
Kane Williamson
(16.02.2024, 12:22)(12:22)
0
ketchim
Kanw 133 not out !
(16.02.2024, 12:21)(12:21)
0
Catherine
How Do I Know I’m Not the Only Conscious Being in the Universe?
(13.02.2024, 10:33)(10:33)
0
Collin
I am writing to express my sincere gratitude for the information that you have provided on your website. I have found your site to be an invaluable resource of information, and I have learned a great deal from the articles and resources that you have shared.
(11.02.2024, 13:05)(13:05)
0
Collin
bla... bla... bla...
(11.02.2024, 13:05)(13:05)
0
Collin
this was Sixes....semis next !
(11.02.2024, 13:04)(13:04)
0
Collin
The article is really good. I found here looking for a good article because my heart was empty. There are a lot of different articles, so reading them makes me feel a bit empty. Next time I want to read an article about ... please
(11.02.2024, 13:04)(13:04)
0
Collin
This blog post resonated with me on so many levels. Your personal anecdotes and real-life examples added a relatable touch to the topic. I could feel your passion and expertise shining through every word. I'd love to hear more about your experiences and insights on [related topic]. Thank you for sharing your blog wisdom and inspiring others in the process!
(11.02.2024, 13:03)(13:03)
0
Collin
This is very fascinating, You are an excessively skilled blogger. I have joined your rss feed and look ahead to in quest of extra of your magnificent post. Additionally, I’ve shared your website in my social networks
(11.02.2024, 13:01)(13:01)
0
Collin
Voucher to najlepsza forma prezentu dla ukochanej osoby. Taki bon podarunkowy, czyli voucher, czy też kartę podarunkową, możemy dać bez stresu ponieważ daje on możliwość wyboru w momencie korzystania, a to dla wielu osób jest najważniejsze. Kup voucher, spraw radość bliskim osobom i nie martw się, że prezent będzie nietrafiony.
(11.02.2024, 13:00)(13:00)
0
Collin
Masaż jest to metoda leczenia znana od wielu lat. Zapraszam do salonu. Kliknij w podany link: drenaż limfatyczny Kielce
(11.02.2024, 12:59)(12:59)
0
Collin
Witam. Piekny blog i opisy. Ja polecam Forum Kosmetyczne
(11.02.2024, 12:58)(12:58)
0
ketchim
this was Sixes....semis next !
(03.02.2024, 16:22)(16:22)
0
Kennedi
So our yute did nt make the semis because of a washout. These global contests should set aside rain days for teh semis and finals.
(02.02.2024, 19:44)(19:44)
0
Catherine
Confirmed by Cricket West Indies that West Indies will play a County XI side in a four-day warm up match at Beckenham in Kent starting 3rd July
(31.01.2024, 19:51)(19:51)
0
Augustine
Step Aside Sir Joffra Archer and Kagiso Rabada.. Shamar Joseph has Arrived !!! ? ? ?
(29.01.2024, 13:43)(13:43)
0
ketchim
After 27 years, a VICTORY !
(28.01.2024, 13:48)(13:48)
0
ketchim
West Indies brat Australia by 8 runs : Guyana Shamar 7Fer !
(28.01.2024, 13:46)(13:46)
0
Niko
2nd Test, West indies 266/8, Da Silva 79, Hodge 71, A.Joseph 32, Mckenzie 21, Chanderpaul 21, Sinclair 16 not out .
(25.01.2024, 08:26)(08:26)
0
ketchim
excellent Win : Jewel 64*
(24.01.2024, 11:38)(11:38)
0
Kareem
Guyanese fast-bowler Isai Thorne took 4-46 from nine overs as West Indies restricted Scotland to 205-9 from 50 overs at the ongoing ICC Under-19 World Cup in South Africa.
This a must-win match for West Indies after they lost their opening match to the hosts by 31 runs.
(Photo: Cricket West Indies)
(24.01.2024, 10:27)(10:27)
0
Kareem
Kevin Sinclair will replace Gudakesh Motie in the second Test match in Australia.
This was confirmed by Captain Kraigg Brathwaite on the eve of the GABA Test.
(24.01.2024, 10:04)(10:04)
0
Martha
Virat Kohli withdraws from first two Tests against England citing personal reasons. BCCI has requested media and fans to respect Virat Kohli's privacy during this time and refrain from speculating on the nature of his personal reasons.
(22.01.2024, 10:57)(10:57)
0
Alondra
Dat Jawbreaker from Joseph reminds me of Marshall !!
(19.01.2024, 08:26)(08:26)
0
ketchim
First ball DUCK but was Hazlewood !
(18.01.2024, 14:48)(14:48)
0
Alondra
Tage to face
(16.01.2024, 19:35)(19:35)
0
Alondra
Starc has the ball
(16.01.2024, 19:29)(19:29)
0
Alondra
Rally
(16.01.2024, 19:29)(19:29)
0
ketchim
Australia win Toss and chose to field
(16.01.2024, 19:19)(19:19)
0
ketchim
6:30 p.m. EST
(16.01.2024, 17:09)(17:09)
0
ketchim
1st TEST : 6>30 EST....this evening ....Australia time is tomorrow lol
(16.01.2024, 17:01)(17:01)
0
chairman
West Indies U19s clapped up New Zealand U19s in the warm up game.
Nathan Sealey, Joshua Dorne and Jewel Andrew the star turns.
(15.01.2024, 07:42)(07:42)
0
ketchim
Match Draw but 105 to DaSilva and 99 to Kavem Hodge.....so good warm up match result !...
(13.01.2024, 13:15)(13:15)
0
ketchim
251 - 8
(10.01.2024, 12:59)(12:59)
0
ketchim
Motie and Sinclair not out ~
(10.01.2024, 12:56)(12:56)
0
ketchim
Warm Up match and couple of boys made DUCK 8 down for 232