In an era when England have not exactly been blessed with spin bowling options, Gary Keedy can considering himself unlucky not to have had a crack in the Test team, especially after his performances in the last couple of seasons. In 2004 in finished as the highest wicket-taker amongst English-qualified spinners, with 72 wickets, following on from 60 wickets in 2003. In 2004 he was ever present in the relegated Lancashire side and was often left with a huge workload on flat pitches.

Keedy moved across the Pennines after failing to get a regular place in the Yorkshire side, and the turning point in his career was the arrival of Bobby Simpson as coach. He told him he was good enough to be the frontline spinner and to have confidence in himself. Ironically, Lancashire then signed Muttiah Muralitharan, and were on the brink of having Harbhajan Singh for the 2003 season, but Harbhajan suffered a finger injury, opening the door for Keedy - and he hasn't looked back. The development of Monty Panesar closed the door on any international career, but he remains one of the best spinners on the county circuit.
Andrew McGlashan