Manchester, May 16: Former England captain Graham Gooch, who will be 50 in two months time, was pressed into emergency action as a substitute fielder for Essex against Lancashire here at old Trafford yesterday. Despite retiring seven years ago, Essex coach Gooch was called into action when Scott Brant went off injured with sore shins.
With team-mate and England prospect will Jefferson already in the dressing room on the second day of this county championship match having twisted a knee Wednesday, it meant Gooch had to come on.
Known as one of the fittest players of his generation, former opening batsman Gooch - who first played at old Trafford in 1974 - was on the field for seven overs, showing his team the way with an impressive stint at short midwicket to spinners James Middlebrook and Paul Grayson. Bureau Report