Rick Darling was a stylish, if inconsistent, opening batsman and outstanding cover fielder whose 14-Test career was over before he turned 23. He got his chance early because of World Series Cricket, and impressed with his fearless cutting and hooking. But with that came the impetuosity of youth, and Darling often wasted a good start. His finest innings came at Sydney in 1978-79, when he laced 91 in a low-scoring match against England. In that same series, at Adelaide, Darling almost died when the gum he was chewing lodged in his throat after he was hit on the heart by a ball from Bob Willis. John Emburey, with a hearty thump, came to the rescue. An unimpressive tour of India followed - he was again hit on the head, thbis time by Kapil Dev - and even though he continued to plunder runs for his state, he wasn't recalled.
Martin Williamson