In John's locker

John Parkin's career in county cricket was modest, to say the least. The Kimberley-born player's career spanned just three seasons, 1966 to 1968, in which he played 28 first-class games for Nottinghamshire. He scored 349 runs at an average of 11.25. Not great for a specialist batsman.

His one-day career, meanwhile, remains amongst the most fleeting in the history of cricket. He played just the one game - a Gillette Cup third round tie against Gloucestershire at Trent Bridge in 1968 - in which he did not bowl (though he caught Arthur Milton for 87) and, batting at number ten, was four not out at the end of the game when Nottinghamshire were all out for 271 to lose by 25 runs.

Modest stuff, indeed.

But how many times down the years must he have recounted how he was at the other end when Gary Sobers hit Malcolm Nash for six sixes in an over at Swansea in '68?

What an incredible, unique tale to have in your locker!