Bruce French (cricketer)

Bruce Nicholas French (born 13 August 1959)[1] is a former English cricketer, who played in sixteen Test matches and 13 One Day Internationals for the England cricket team from 1985 to 1988. A wicket-keeper/batsman, French played his first Test against India at Headingley, Leeds in 1986, and his last Test against New Zealand in Wellington in March 1988.

Bruce French

Personal information
Full name	Bruce Nicholas French
Born	13 August 1959 Market Warsop, Nottinghamshire, England
Nickname	Frog
Batting	Right-handed
Role	Wicket-keeper
Relations	Neil French (brother) Jake Ball (nephew)
International information
National side	England (1985–1988)
Test debut (cap 517)	19 June 1986 v India
Last Test	3 March 1988 v New Zealand
ODI debut (cap 80)	27 January 1985 v India
Last ODI	19 March 1988 v New Zealand
Domestic team information
Years	Team
1976–1995	Nottinghamshire
Career statistics
Competition Test ODI FC LA Matches 16 13 360 296 Runs scored 308 34 7,160 2,026 Batting average 18.11 6.80 18.89 15.00 100s/50s 0/1 0/0 2/25 0/0 Top score 59 9* 123 49 Balls bowled – – 90 – Wickets – – 1 – Bowling average – – 70.00 – 5 wickets in innings – – 0 – 10 wickets in match – – 0 – Best bowling – – 1/37 – Catches/stumpings 38/1 13/3 817/100 275/36
Source: CricketArchive, 17 July 2016

French played his county cricket exclusively for Nottinghamshire. Cricket writer, Colin Bateman, described French as "a wicketkeeper of the highest calibre".[1] His nephew Jake Ball also played test cricket for England.

Life and career

French served as understudy to Paul Downton on two tours, before making his Test debut in 1986. He had a run in the side until a finger injury gave Jack Russell his opportunity behind the stumps.[1]

French's best performance with the bat at Test level, came against Pakistan in the 1987 Test at Old Trafford, when he scored 59 in a rain-affected drawn match.

In his sixteen Test matches, French scored 309 runs at an average of 18.11, took thirty eight catches and made one stumping.[1]

French had a mixed experience on his tours. These included being bitten by a dog, being hit by a spectator thrown ball whilst practising, and then knocked down by a car as he arrived at hospital for treatment.[2] French also saved two young girls from drowning while on a Test tour in Pakistan, when he came across them by chance.[3]

After his Test playing days were over, French joined the 1990 rebel tour to South Africa.[1]

French enjoys mountaineering,[1] and had a spell coaching wicket-keeping for the England cricket team. He coached Matt Prior, the English wicket-keeper, and has been regarded as an excellent coach of high skills and knowledge.

References

1. Bateman, Colin (1993). If The Cap Fits. Tony Williams Publications. p. 71. ISBN 1-869833-21-X.
2. "England rule the world". ESPN Cricinfo. Retrieved 16 August 2017.
3. "Bruce French: 10 interesting facts about the English wicketkeeper". Cricket Country. Retrieved 16 August 2017.

External links

• Bruce French at ESPNcricinfo