My first memory of Neville Darrell involves the pair of us walking out to bat at the Flatts field when I was an impressionable teenager, just learning the game. “Bojangles,” he remarked to me, just before setting off to take strike. “I’m not running any runs at all today. You just stay up that end and watch me. I’m going to score a century in sixes and fours. I’ll run your runs, but I won’t be running any of mine.”

While the field, size-wise, was more suited for a primary school match, he nonetheless proceeded to carry out his mission. In subsequent years, this most eccentric character would amaze me even more with his actions. Fast forward and it’s a Cup Match morning. Randy Horton, Somerset’s fiery captain is standing by our dressing-room door waiting for our captain, Neville Darrell, to put on his blazer and walk out to the pitch to carry out the traditional ritual known as the toss.

“Go ahead and do whatever you want to do,” Neville informed Horton, while not budging from his seat. When Neville repeated the remark, I sat staring in amazement. Was he really going to let Somerset choose to do whatever they wanted, I pondered? Of course, the umpires were soon summoned and the pre-match coin toss finally transpired.

While I thought these two memories were surprising in nature, I would learn from Neville that he performed the most unusual and shocking deed ever witnessed in the history of the Cup Match classics. As captain, his East Enders were staring defeat in the face.

With one over left in the match and Somerset needing six runs for victory, Neville decided to overlook the best bowler in the country, Clarence Parfitt, and “take on the responsibility myself”. He proceeded to inform the umpire that he was bowling “right arm under”.

Subsequently, he delivered each ball in an underarm motion, ensuring that each ball was rolled on the ground. Somerset failed to surpass the St George’s total and Neville felt that he had achieved his goal, while operating within the parameters of the Laws of the game.

***

Name: Neville Thomas Darrell.

Date of birth: February 17, 1940.

Start in cricket: The first team I played for was St George’s. I progressed swiftly to the Cup Match team, as I was still at the Berkeley Institute when I played in the classic.

Length of career: I played my final matches in 1980. I was dropped for Gregory “Brutus” Foggo in 1979 and came back in 1980.

Role in the team: I was an early-order bat, sometimes opening and other times batting at No 3 or No 5. I was also a close-in fielder and a part-time spinner.

Childhood memories in the game: I recall playing in the Uphills versus Downhills matches in those days.

Teams played for: St George’s Cricket Club, Police Recreation Club, Warwick Workmen’s Club.

Nicknames: Tom, Maverick

Favourite domestic match played in: That would have to be the game between Warwick and Bailey’s Bay at the Duck’s Puddle. Bay scored 200 and something, and left us just over an hour to bat.

They really should have declared about an hour earlier. Lloyd James and I opened the batting for Warwick.

We both scored centuries and neither one of us ran any runs. We both tallied all sixes and fours. The funny thing about that game was that the late George Byron, our president, was located in a punt in the ocean and spent his time retrieving our sixes.

Favourite Cup Match: My first match at the Somerset Cricket Club. Charles Daulphin was in prime form and had us four down for less than 50. When I came in, my knees were trembling. I made 42 and helped to save the game for St George’s.

Favourite venue: Wellington Oval, St George’s, of course; that was our home field.

Favourite players: Locally, Sam Paynter and Wellington “Buster” Smith. Internationally, Brian Lara.

Number one supporter: My daughter, Karin.

Pre-match routines: I recall that Lloyd James and I used to train together at times. However, there were occasions when, as a police officer, I had to work the midnight to 8am shift and then go and play cricket. I had a senior officer who had a grudge and he made my life more difficult.

Favourite dish while playing: Salad.

Biggest regret in your career: None. I was left out of the Cup Match team several times; however, unlike a few others at the time, I did not let this discourage me. I functioned as a team member and kept playing.

Superstitions: None

Funniest thing that ever you have seen on a cricket field: Randy Horton was the opposing captain one Cup Match and when he came in to bat, I made a point to hold up the game and went over and shook his hand for all to see.

Later, when I came in to bat, he started to leave his position to approach me and I deliberately told him: “Man, don’t come over here and shake my hand.”

Of course he didn’t and he later received a lot of criticism from the public for not being a gentleman and returning the kind gesture to me that I had formerly displayed towards him.

Hobbies: Chess, poker (Neville won a major event in Las Vegas), golf, martial arts, writing. Neville is the author of Acel’dama, a most compelling story about the 1973 murder of Sir Richard Sharples, Governor of Bermuda.

A key to your success: I had an even temper. I was always able to maintain a level of calm under most situations. Youngsters need to practise a lot. Even if you do not have someone to practise with, shadow strokes and visualise. Your mind has to be in tune.

Advice to today’s cricketers: They have to adjust their mindsets and how they approach the game.

By this, I mean learn how to focus and take instructions from your captain. Also, you should never, ever, argue with an umpire.

Most difficult opponent: None. Some were more challenging than others, such as Sheridan Raynor, who was always focused and disciplined, and therefore difficult to get out.

Motto you believe in: If you think it, you can do it.

***

As a cricketer, Neville taught me the art of gamesmanship. Before playing in the classic, he informed me that he did not want to see me out there marking the guard for the opposing players. Our job was not to make them comfortable and at ease.

To this end, I came to copy his habit of fielding incredibly close to opposing batsman. In fact, when at silly point, I tried to stand as close to them as legally possible. This was a most dangerous practice; however I realised that it was surely distracting also.

Our other abiding memories of Neville Darrell, besides seeing him fielding at silly mid-off with outstretched arms, include watching him hit one — handed sixes down the leg side, and, at Rangers Oval, witnessing him bowling underarm to John Tucker.

In this instance, the ball bounced and, unlike his aforementioned Cup Match efforts, this one got the full treatment.

Next week: Clevie Wade