An Unexpected Call-Up

Archie Mac | 9:15am GMT 02 February 2025

Published: 2022
Pages: 11
Author: Cardwell, Ronald
Publisher: The Cricket Publishing Company
Rating: 4 stars

This short monograph tells the story of the unexpected call up of New Zealand opening batsman Bruce Edgar to the role of wicketkeeper. It was the summer of ’78 and the 21 year old Edgar had been selected for the tour of England. Edgar was to all intents and purposes an opening batsmen, but due to some miscommunication he was also chosen as reserve ‘keeper. The fact that Edgar had only kept for the odd session in the Plunket Shield does not appear to have deterred the selectors. So unprepared was Edgar that he did not even own a pair of wicket keeping gloves, although he did manage to borrow some from a cousin just prior to the team heading to England.

The main ‘keeper, Jock Edwards, did not perform up to his best standard and by the end of the second Test it was clear that Edgar was going to be given the job of keeper for the third Test at Lord’s. Edgar was so nervous of embarrassing himself at the home of cricket he asked the England ‘keeper Bob Taylor for some pointers. Taylor to his credit gave the anxious Edgar an hour of practice, plus some much needed tips for correct positioning for a ‘keeper when it came to the famous Lord’s ridge.

In the end Edgar did well. Taking three catches and holding up adequately to the spinners. He also managed to score a few runs, and much to his relief no one questioned his ability behind the sticks. Despite his success, Edgar stated ‘never again!’.

I was lucky enough to speak with author Ronald Cardwell about how this little book came about. He stated that due to his friendship with Edgar he had often heard the story about his wicket keeping call up at Lord’s. Unbeknown to Edgar, Cardwell wrote the monograph and had organised a short print run of 113 copies before inviting Edgar and a number of other past New Zealand cricketers to a dinner. He then prompted a conversation about the cricketers’ most interesting match, knowing that Edgar would almost certainly allude to his ‘keeping at Lord’s. Sure enough Edgar did and with the rest of the guests having been in on the ruse, Cardwell then produced An Unexpected Call-up – much to the surprise and delight of Edgar.

This is an enjoyable story in a nicely produced monograph. Cardwell has managed to interview a number of people involved in the tour including the New Zealand captain, Mark Burgess. I am not sure if there are any copies still available, however I would recommend chasing one down. I can guarantee it won’t disappoint.