Derek Pringle was all set to be a dashing amateur-style all-rounder when he was first pulled out of University cricket to play for England in 1982 but, ironically, his best performances came when he was the ultimate English county professional. Pringle's greatest Test moment came when he defended grimly against the West Indies fast bowlers in 1988 while his county team-mate and captain Graham Gooch tried to rebuild an England innings with no help from the specialist batsmen. Pringle was also one of the many England captains in that series, taking charge in the field on the last day when Gooch was injured. He came from a cricketing background in Nairobi - his father appeared for East Africa in the first World Cup of 1975. He played for England first against India at Lord's in 1982, taking two wickets in each innings. In Australia in 1982-83 he played in only two Tests, scoring 42 in Melbourne. His best performances were often against West Indies and at Edgbaston in 1984 he took 5-108 and scored 46 not out. England's selectors tried to use him to replace Ian Botham and batted him at number six against India in 1986. He made 63 at Lord's but was exposed by more lethal bowling attacks. His seam bowling, now very canny, was successful and he took 5-95 against West Indies at Headingley in 1988. In the 1987 World Cup he was hit for 83 in 10 overs by the West Indies at Gujranwala and lost his place in the later matches. In Australia in 1992, taking 3-8 against Pakistan at Adelaide he regularly opened the bowling. In the final he took 3-22 and was 18 not out when the last England wicket fell. (Bob Harragan)