THHoF - David Lloyd

Name: David Lloyd
Nicknames: Bumble, Lloydy, Lloydo
Born: 18 March 1947, Accrington, Lancashire, England
Teams played for: England, Lancashire

David Lloyd has become a part of English cricket institution. As a player, coach, umpire, and now commentator, David has bought a great deal of enthusiasm, and old-fashioned eccentricity to cricket, and his genuine passion for the game shines through everything he does.

David was born in Accrington, Lancashire, and has remained a fiercely proud Lancastrian. After impressing in the famous Lancashire League for Accrington, Lloyd made his Lancashire debut in 1965, at Old Trafford against Middlesex. Sadly he failed to score a run - bagging a king pair, as Lancashire lost by nine wickets. Playing as a left-arm spinning all-rounder, Lloyd had a tough baptism into county cricket; finishing his first season with a batting average of 14 (although he did take 21 wickets at 31).

The next few seasons saw him impress with the ball - averaging 24 in 1966 and 21 in 1967. Although he struggled somewhat with the bat, Lloyd made his maiden first class century against Cambridge University in June 1968, and topped 1,000 runs for the summer the next year. Becoming an established force in one day cricket; Lloyd was a major part of the Lancashire side who won three consecutive one day trophies from 1970-72. 1972 was Lloyd's most successful season - averaging 47 with the bat and 28 with the ball. This led to him being appointed Lancashire captain from 1973 onwards.

1973 also saw him make his international debut; in an ODI against the West Indies at the Oval. While England lost heavily (and Lloyd only scored 8), he was included in England's test side to face India the following summer. Opening the batting in place of Geoffrey Boycott, Lloyd scored 46 as England won by an innings, and retained his place for the next match, where he made 214 not out - winning the game for England and leaving his average at 260. England then faced Pakistan, and Lloyd had a mixed time - not scoring many in tests, but making an unbeaten ODI century.

Lloyd travelled to Australia for the 1974/5 Ashes, but his poor run of form in tests continued. With a highest score of 44, and after scoring 4 and 5 in Adelaide; Lloyd was dropped from the test side and never played again. John Arlott wrote in 1984 that, "in a side routed by the `heart-line' attack of Lillee and Thomson, [Lloyd] was effectively shocked and shattered out of Test cricket".

After returning from Australia, Lloyd led Lancashire to another Gillette Cup victory in 1975, before stepping down from the captaincy in 1977, and retiring from cricket in 1983.

Lloyd then trained to become an umpire, and umpired first-class cricket from 1985 to 87. Lloyd then moved into coaching, and led Lancashire from 1993, before becoming England coach in 1996. He saw England to Test series victories against India, New Zealand and South Africa, as well as ODI victories against India, Pakistan and the West Indies. Sadly, Lloyd led England to two Ashes defeats, and left his post after the 1999 World Cup.

Since leaving the cricket establishment, Lloyd has become a well reknowned and respected commentator. Celebrated for his excitement, charisma and catchphrases (Start the car!), Lloyd's excellent tactical nous and ability to evaluate players fairly is often ignored. Lloyd's work for Sky has seen him cover World Cups and Ashes series, and has become one of the most loved commentators Sky employ.

I've only known David as a commentator, and he could get into the Tyron Henderson Hall of Fame solely on the back of that. However, his rich and varied life in and around cricket has given him somewhat legendary status, and has become a well-loved figure by players and fans alike. David would certainly bring a lot of life and excitement to the THHoF, and he's welcomed in today!


Clips:



Bumble talking a good game about the World T20



Bumble's most famous moment - playing Jeff Thompson with his "appendage"