Cricketer who not only made his ODI debut at the age of 44+ but also captained the team

By Sandy Verma On Mar 1, 2026

England cricketer Norman Gifford passed away recently at the age of 85. He was a tricky, slow bowler. He was also well known by his nickname, Apple Norm (which he got for his rosy cheeks and good nature). There are some more reasons to consider him a special cricketer:

* Norman Gifford took more than 2000 first-class wickets (2068) and as the count of red-ball cricket matches is decreasing these days, this count of wickets is very special. Today’s bowlers don’t even think of making such a record. He also scored 7048 runs at an average of 13.00 and took 33 Test wickets at an average of 31.09.

* He received the first Man of the Match award in ODI cricket (even though his team lost the match), for his bowling of 4-33 against Sussex in the Gillette Cup final in 1963.

* Took 98 wickets in the 1964 English season, which made Worcestershire County champion and due to this performance, the selectors called him to play in the England team for the Ashes Test at Lord’s. Although the start was not bad, there was a direct clash with the senior Tony Lock as the first choice spinner and then with the younger Derek Underwood and the result was that the next call-up came only after a wait of seven years.

* Nevertheless the good performances continued for Worcestershire:

– In 1965, bowling 7-23 against Derbyshire at Chesterfield, which included the only hat-trick of his career.

– Made his career best figures of 8-28 against Yorkshire at Sheffield in 1968.

– Became the captain of Worcestershire in 1971 and led the team to its first Sunday League title. In the same year, he was recalled to the England Test team and played in place of Underwood against Pakistan at Headingley. Coincidentally, England won this test.

* When Tony Lewis’s team toured India in 1972-73, England had already told Gifford that he would not be the first choice as a spin bowler. Even then, he played four Tests in two series of that tour against India and Pakistan.

*Played his last Test match (15th) against New Zealand at Lord’s in 1973.

*In 1974 he led Worcestershire to another county title and was named one of Wisden’s Cricketers of the Year. Played for a total of three championship winning teams. He became President of Worcestershire in 2017.

*He was appointed MBE in 1978.

* At the age of about 45, he was the captain of England in two One Day International matches against Australia and Pakistan in the Rothmans Four Nations Cup in Sharjah. There is no doubt that this was a makeshift arrangement as England rested many of their top players (including captain David Gower). England lost both matches. Against Pakistan, Gifford bowled 4-23 from 10 overs (including dismissing Imran Khan for a golden duck). He is the oldest player to make his ODI debut for a full member country. He became captain overnight from assistant manager. One of the few players to make his ODI debut after his 40th birthday (44 years and 361 days). Played two matches, both as captain.

* After this he started playing for Warwickshire and became their captain in 1985.

* In February 1986, Norman Gifford was with the England B team as assistant manager. Then, despite the refusal of the TCCB (as the English Cricket Board was then called), the team played in the Sri Lanka-England B, 3rd Unofficial Test, 3 weeks before his 46th birthday, in need of a team.

*Took his 2000th wicket in first class cricket in 1986 and is probably the last England bowler to make this record.

*Finally retired in 1988 at the age of 48.

* Very few first-class cricketers have played more matches than Norman Gifford. Total 710 matches – This record is at number 20 in the list of match count.

*In 1989, when he was the coach of Sussex, he was offered to change his decision of retirement and play against Kent. Actually there was moisture on the pitch and to take advantage of that they got this offer but they did not accept it.

*Received a unique honor in 2016. The Norman Gifford Trophy was awarded to the winner of the Vitality Blast T20 matches each year between the two counties he played for, Worcestershire and Warwickshire.