Trevor Franklin

Lanky New Zealand opener Trevor Franklin knew only one way to play, and it didn't involve too many horizontal-bat shots. In 21 Tests he scored his runs at a rate of 27 runs per 100 balls. That equates to 1.6 runs per over, and makes him slower than those great blockers Chris Tavaré (33) and Jimmy Adams (38). But despite boring spectators and bowlers into submission Franklin was a popular figure, mainly because he was so unlucky with injuries. Most famously, he had his leg shattered when he was run over by a luggage trailer at Gatwick Airport in 1986, and he didn't play a Test for nearly two years. He wasn't endowed with good luck. On that tour he also broke a thumb, and in 1991-92 had his forearm smashed by David Lawrence. Even though it did take seven hours, his first and only Test hundred, against England at Lord's in 1990, was extremely well received.
Rob Smyth