Mark Dekker

Not many Test openers have carried their bats across their respective careers but Mark Dekker achieved the feat in just his second game, which happened to be against Pakistan on a typical sub-continental surface in Rawalpindi. Technically strong batsman who was pretty much old-school in his methods, Dekker had the ability to grind out bowling attacks but lack of scoring options meant that he often occupied the crease for long periods without adding anything substantial to his name. The match mentioned above saw him scoring the only two Test fifties of his career.

It was a golden opportunity for Zimbabwe to win and Dekker's knock had also provided the platform, only for the rest to implode to defeat. Apart from his batting skills, Dekker was also an excellent fielder who specialised at the cover position. Even in First-class cricket, his returns were underwhelming statistically but more often than not managed to blunt the new ball. He had an affinity for English cricket during his career and Dekker even took up contracts at various points for various clubs. After retirement, he was active with Kent as a coach and later, as Community Cricket Officer. In late 2018, he took up the assignment of coaching the Kent women's team.

Written by Hariprasad Sadanandan