Graham Wagg      

Full name Graham Grant Wagg

Born April 28, 1983, Rugby, Warwickshire

Current age 26 years 208 days

Major teams Derbyshire, England A, England Under-19s, Warwickshire, Warwickshire Cricket Board

Nickname Waggy

Batting style Right-hand bat

Bowling style Left-arm medium

Height 6 ft 0 in

Education Aslawn School, Rugby

A left-arm seamer and right-hand batsman, allrounder Graham Wagg represented England at Under-16 and Under-19 levels before making his first-class debut for Warwickshire in 2002. Aged 19, he took four wickets and hit a quick half-century against Somerset at Edgbaston. He finished that season at the top of the county's Championship bowling averages (12 wickets at 21.58). He was included in England's Academy squad in 2002-03 but withdrew with a back problem, and that has seriously limited his appearances since. In 2003 he made just one Championship outing, and in 2004 he was limited to a handful of one-day games, and even then managed only a few unimpressive overs. In October 2004, he was banned for a year and his contract with Warwickshire terminated when he admitted using cocaine after failing a random ECB drugs test. He spent the year coaching, and resumed his career with Derbyshire. His comeback season was solid if unspectacular as he played in just over half of the county's Championship games. He fared better in 2007 passing 50 wickets for the first time and also scoring four half-centuries which was enough to earn him a new two-year contract at the club. His all-round progress continued in 2008 when he took 59 first-class wickets and scored a century and two fifties.
Martin Williamson October 2008

Graham Wagg is a promising young all-rounder who has the distinct advantage of of bowling left-arm fast-medium, giving variety to any attack in which he plays. Early signs of his talent were evident when he added an unbeaten 45 to a five-wicket haul against the West Indies Under-19 touring team in 2001, and he made his first-class debut for Warwickshire in 2002. He made an immediate impression, following an undefeated 42 (batting at number nine) with four Somerset wickets. In the second innings he completed his maiden first-class half-century before he was finally dismissed for 51. He also marked his National Cricket League debut with four Kent wickets. He was included in the ECB National Academy squad bound for Australia in 2002/3, but had to withdraw owing to a back injury. Although his opportunities were limited during the 2003 domestic season, he again gained the attention of the selectors for the Academy in 2003/04.

NBC Denis Compton Award 2003

May 13, 2009

Graham Wagg traps Ashwell Prince lbw

© Getty Images

Jul 17, 2008

Graham Wagg stands tall to cut during his maiden first-class hundred

© Getty Images

May 22, 2008

Graham Wagg celebrates, as did the rest of his team on beating Lancashire

© Getty Images

View the full index of related photos »