Jim Griffiths, Northamptonshire (1974-1986)
Our solitary non-Test player, but Griffiths’ exploits with the bat for Northamptonshire live on in cricketing folklore. He was hopeless; in 138 first-class innings, he averaged 3.33 and notched 51 noughts. But like most rabbits he enjoyed one moment of glory.
The finest hour of his career is the NatWest semi-final of 1981. Northamptonshire needed 13 runs off eight Lancashire when last man Griffiths strode out to join Allan Lamb.
One problem: Michael Holding was bowling. So there followed a duel that was realistically described as ‘the best bowler in the world against the worst batsman’. Somehow Griffiths got something in the way during Holding’s final overs and from the penultimate ball of the match, Northamptonshire won. Lamb scored the runs, but it was Griffiths who was carried shoulder-high from the field.