Wisden overview
No photograph in cricket better captures the nature of its subject than that of Derek Randall, apparently standing motionless at attention in the batting crease, acknowledging a Dennis Lillee bouncer by doffing his cap. But even then the picture tells nothing of the astonishing agility of "Arkle": a split-second earlier, as the ball screeched overhead, he had been on his haunches three feet clear of any danger. A hyperactive cover fieldsman, who was often actually galloping in as the bowler reached the crease, Randall, in a day's fielding, habitually saved 20 runs through quicksilver interceptions and the safe singles his mobility inhibited. As a batsman he was in David Gower's class when it came to timing a cover-drive, but he was a twitchy starter, especially when there was movement for the seamers, and was at his most effective at No. 5 or 6. John Thicknesse

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