A look back at Lord's 1993 (From The Wiltshire Gazette and Herald)

A look back at Lord's 1993

WILTSHIRE'S last appearance at Lord's in 1993 saw their hopes of success dashed as their bowlers were destroyed by a rampant Staffordshire side led by their brilliant opener Steve Dean.

The England Amateur XI, Minor Counties and Walsall batsman had smashed a belligerent 99 runs, which included four sixes and 15 fours off just 86 balls and shared in an opening partnership of 149 with partner David Cartledge.

But then as he went to complete his well deserved century and reach the magical three figures Dean lost his wicket in one of the most bizarre dismissals ever seen at the home of cricket.

He hit a forceful straight drive off left-arm spinner Phil North back down the pitch. His partner Cartledge tried to take evasive action but the ball struck him on the boot.

It lobbed up into the air behind the wicket and North, quick to react, raced back and dived full length to to take the catch.

A few years later a recording of the incident was shown on BBC television's A Question of Sport in What Happened Next?

Despite the dismissal of Dean the runs continued to flow with 67 coming off the last six overs as Staffordshire reached a massive 326-7 off their allotted 55 overs.

Former Middlesex and Gloucestershire player Keith Tomlins was Wiltshire's most successful bowler with 3-53 while Stuart Barnes took 3-76.

In reply despite half-centuries for opener Lawrence Smith (74) and Tomlins (60), Wiltshire were always behind the run rate and could only amass 257 for the loss of seven wickets in their 55 overs.

Wiltshire: Lawrence Smith, Paul Marsh, Keith Tomlins, Steve Perrin (w/k), Rob Savage, David Simpkins, Kevin Foyle (c), Phil North, Neil Prigent, Grant Sheppard, Stuart Barnes. 12th man Jonathan Lewis.

Result: Staffs 326-7 off 55 overs (Dean 99, Cartledge 55, Myles 38, Newman 33, Dutton 30; Barnes 3-76, Sheppard 0-48, Marsh 0-37, Prigent 0-48, North 1-58, Tomlins 3-53).

Wilts 257 off 55 overs (Smith 74, Tomlins 60, Marsh 38, Foyle 29 no; Newman 3-30, Myles 3-68, Heap 1-44). Staffordshire won by 69 runs.