Still Waiting For An Autobiography From Mike Gatting

Few players have had such a controversial career as Mike Gatting. In the 1987-88 tour to Pakistan he had a row with Shakoor Rana, which must have had more column inches devoted to it than any other single event in cricket. Surely the time has come for the main protagonist to tell his side of the story?

Gatting was sacked as captain in 1988 for what the selectors called "irresponsibility" after inviting a barmaid back to his room. The selectors position now appears ridiculous (it was his birthday after all). They stated that they accepted Gatting's version of events but sacked him anyway. I would be interested in hearing Gatting's view on this trial by tabloid. He was then to be reappointed as England captain only for the decision to be mysteriously vetoed by Ossie Wheatley, the chairman of the cricket committee. Gower, who was re-appointed captain instead, has written about this, so why doesn't Gatting tell his story?

Gatting was so unhappy with the administrators of the game that he turned his back on his country and embarked on a controversial rebel tour to South Africa, which provoked such unrest hardly any cricket was played. What a fascinating chapter this could make.

Gatting returned to Test cricket, scoring a century against Australia to help England win their only Test match of the 94-95 tour at Adelaide. He then became a selector and was criticised by Nasser Hussain in his autobiography for reluctance to pick Thorpe. I would like to hear Gatting's side of this argument.

So come on Gatt, put pen to paper, or this Blogger might just write a biography on you instead!