
Acclaimed Isle of Wight journalist and feature writer John Hannam looks back on the career of the Island's David Griffiths, who began his career at Shanklin and went on to play for England Under-19s before playing county cricket for Hampshire and Kent. More recently, Griffiths was Director of Cricket at Basingstoke & North Hants. He is now living in South Africa and coaching at Hilton College.
Back in the summer of 2006, David Griffiths became the first Islander to have played county cricket for Hampshire for 79 years.
Griff, as he is known throughout the world of cricket, played 100 games of top professional cricket, in a career that saw him robbed of many more because of an endless run of injuries, as often befits a fast bowler of around 90 mph.
David Griffiths, a former pupil of Sandown High, was born into a sporting family. His father, Adrian, was a gifted fast bowler for Shanklin and went on to play for Wales. His two grandfathers, Ron Griffiths and Roly Ringer, were both legends in local cricket. David Porter, who became his stepfather and gave him so much encouragement, was one of the Island's greatest post-war cricketers. His mother, Libby, has also always been such an inspiration for him.
Academy
The first time I ever met young Griff was in 2005 - and he was not a pretty sight. He'd just returned to his Sandown home from an England Under-19 tour of Malaysia and India. It had taken toll on his health. Being young and strong he made a good recovery and played for Hampshire the following season.
From the age of five he went to Shanklin Cricket Club with the family and was soon learning the game in the practice nets. He became one of the youngest players to play for the club before joining the Hampshire Academy when he was just 14.
As an eager young fast bowler Griff became a force in their 2nd XI and took 40 wickets before an unexpected call to first team action.
He reflected on that exciting moment: " I was due to play for the seconds but was suddenly asked to join the first team squad for a game at Durham. I travelled up and expected to be 12th man but with West Indian test player Darren Powell still awaiting his work permit, I was put into the team instead of him."
It was on a ground used by England for Test matches and in the first innings he took 4 for 46, a very commendable performance. He took six wickets in the match and went on to play against Lancashire at Old Trafford. Virtually overnight, he was bowling to world class players.
Quick learner
After games against Sussex and Worcestershire, where he got the wicket of his idol Graham Hick for just four, he suddenly came up against the ace Surrey run machine Mark Ramprakash and, thankfully, Griff was a quick learner. In the end he almost saved Hampshire from defeat. He and Nic Pothas put on an enthralling last wicket stand, with Griff being on 31 not out until his South African partner was dubiously run out. They had survived for 50 overs.
During his Hampshire days he was thrilled when Shane Warne joined the club. He was such a hero to millions of cricket fans - despite playing for the old enemy!
"Playing with Shane really helped my game so much and he did give youngsters a chance. I also got great help from other stars like Bruce Reid and Shaun Udal to improve my game," said Griff.
On one memorable occasion Griff was named as a July cricketer of the month. The others were Stuart Broad, Luke Wright, Joe Denly and Adil Rashid. If only he hadn't suffered so many injuries, which kept him out of the game for long periods.
Memorable moments
Despite these setbacks he did enjoy so many memorable moments. In 2012 he was in the Hampshire team that won the Clydesdale Bank 40 Final at Lords, against Warwickshire. He swung the match Hampshire's way when he took the key wicket of England Test star Ian Bell. They won the match off the very last ball.
Griff reached the peak form of his life at Trent Bridge against Nottinghamshire. He took 6 for 85 and had several catches dropped. On another momentous occasion he took 5 for 85 against Essex at Chelmsford. In that game he was joined by another young Islander Danny Briggs. On one day, between them, they took all the wickets that fell.
Eventually, he was released by Hampshire at the end of the 2013 season. Many felt it was rather unfair. Griff didn't feel that way and had enjoyed his long spell with Hampshire. One or two counties were keen to sign him and he chose Kent.
Sadly, his injuries just never went away. During his debut season he could only bowl 63 overs. Then further seasons were hampered by tricep and back injuries. It was not all doom and gloom and he did have some great moments. He was always such a good "death" bowler in the final overs of one-day games.
Winning a man of the match award for his 2 for 24 in four overs against Hampshire in a T20 game was a great moment, particularly as he was bowling to two renowned big hitters Shahid Afridi and Daren Sammy.
Other highlights included a 4 for 22 against Middlesex in the Nat West Trophy and 3 for 49 against New Zealand A. He won his Kent cap and in the county championship took 6 for 63 against Gloucestershire.
Griff, as he is known throughout the world of cricket, played 100 games of top professional cricket, in a career that saw him robbed of many more because of an endless run of injuries, as often befits a fast bowler of around 90 mph.
David Griffiths, a former pupil of Sandown High, was born into a sporting family. His father, Adrian, was a gifted fast bowler for Shanklin and went on to play for Wales. His two grandfathers, Ron Griffiths and Roly Ringer, were both legends in local cricket. David Porter, who became his stepfather and gave him so much encouragement, was one of the Island's greatest post-war cricketers. His mother, Libby, has also always been such an inspiration for him.
Academy
The first time I ever met young Griff was in 2005 - and he was not a pretty sight. He'd just returned to his Sandown home from an England Under-19 tour of Malaysia and India. It had taken toll on his health. Being young and strong he made a good recovery and played for Hampshire the following season.
From the age of five he went to Shanklin Cricket Club with the family and was soon learning the game in the practice nets. He became one of the youngest players to play for the club before joining the Hampshire Academy when he was just 14.
As an eager young fast bowler Griff became a force in their 2nd XI and took 40 wickets before an unexpected call to first team action.
He reflected on that exciting moment: " I was due to play for the seconds but was suddenly asked to join the first team squad for a game at Durham. I travelled up and expected to be 12th man but with West Indian test player Darren Powell still awaiting his work permit, I was put into the team instead of him."
It was on a ground used by England for Test matches and in the first innings he took 4 for 46, a very commendable performance. He took six wickets in the match and went on to play against Lancashire at Old Trafford. Virtually overnight, he was bowling to world class players.
Quick learner
After games against Sussex and Worcestershire, where he got the wicket of his idol Graham Hick for just four, he suddenly came up against the ace Surrey run machine Mark Ramprakash and, thankfully, Griff was a quick learner. In the end he almost saved Hampshire from defeat. He and Nic Pothas put on an enthralling last wicket stand, with Griff being on 31 not out until his South African partner was dubiously run out. They had survived for 50 overs.
During his Hampshire days he was thrilled when Shane Warne joined the club. He was such a hero to millions of cricket fans - despite playing for the old enemy!
"Playing with Shane really helped my game so much and he did give youngsters a chance. I also got great help from other stars like Bruce Reid and Shaun Udal to improve my game," said Griff.
On one memorable occasion Griff was named as a July cricketer of the month. The others were Stuart Broad, Luke Wright, Joe Denly and Adil Rashid. If only he hadn't suffered so many injuries, which kept him out of the game for long periods.
Memorable moments
Despite these setbacks he did enjoy so many memorable moments. In 2012 he was in the Hampshire team that won the Clydesdale Bank 40 Final at Lords, against Warwickshire. He swung the match Hampshire's way when he took the key wicket of England Test star Ian Bell. They won the match off the very last ball.
Griff reached the peak form of his life at Trent Bridge against Nottinghamshire. He took 6 for 85 and had several catches dropped. On another momentous occasion he took 5 for 85 against Essex at Chelmsford. In that game he was joined by another young Islander Danny Briggs. On one day, between them, they took all the wickets that fell.
Eventually, he was released by Hampshire at the end of the 2013 season. Many felt it was rather unfair. Griff didn't feel that way and had enjoyed his long spell with Hampshire. One or two counties were keen to sign him and he chose Kent.
Sadly, his injuries just never went away. During his debut season he could only bowl 63 overs. Then further seasons were hampered by tricep and back injuries. It was not all doom and gloom and he did have some great moments. He was always such a good "death" bowler in the final overs of one-day games.
Winning a man of the match award for his 2 for 24 in four overs against Hampshire in a T20 game was a great moment, particularly as he was bowling to two renowned big hitters Shahid Afridi and Daren Sammy.
Other highlights included a 4 for 22 against Middlesex in the Nat West Trophy and 3 for 49 against New Zealand A. He won his Kent cap and in the county championship took 6 for 63 against Gloucestershire.
After he retired from professional cricket, Griff became player/coach at Basingstoke and North Hants, where he took 86 wickets.
Griff now lives in South Africa, where he is the assistant coach to Dale Benkenstein at the country's top public school, Hilton College, near Martizburg. They have international coaches for every sport.
During his career he played for Claremont in Cape Town and Crusaders, during our winter. When the coronavirus restrictions are lifted he will marry his South African girlfriend.
Last year he came back to the Island to play in a special memorial match at Shanklin to honour the life of his late stepfather, Dave Porter. Griff was always so grateful for his support. This was proved in his very touching and emotional speech in the clubhouse.
A few weeks after that game Griff went to Australia to donate a kidney to his sister Emma. Luckily, it was a good match and she is now enjoying much improved health. In recent months he's had great support from the Professional Cricketers Association.
Griff has always been such a credit to the Island and his success brought him 182 wickets in first class cricket. Now he's helping to groom some promising young South African cricketers …
Griff now lives in South Africa, where he is the assistant coach to Dale Benkenstein at the country's top public school, Hilton College, near Martizburg. They have international coaches for every sport.
During his career he played for Claremont in Cape Town and Crusaders, during our winter. When the coronavirus restrictions are lifted he will marry his South African girlfriend.
Last year he came back to the Island to play in a special memorial match at Shanklin to honour the life of his late stepfather, Dave Porter. Griff was always so grateful for his support. This was proved in his very touching and emotional speech in the clubhouse.
A few weeks after that game Griff went to Australia to donate a kidney to his sister Emma. Luckily, it was a good match and she is now enjoying much improved health. In recent months he's had great support from the Professional Cricketers Association.
Griff has always been such a credit to the Island and his success brought him 182 wickets in first class cricket. Now he's helping to groom some promising young South African cricketers …
The stunning Hilton College ground in South Africa, where David Griffiths is now assistant coach.
This article appears by kind permission of the Isle of Wight County Press for whom John Hannam is a seasoned correspondent - many seasons, in fact !!!
This article appears by kind permission of the Isle of Wight County Press for whom John Hannam is a seasoned correspondent - many seasons, in fact !!!