MAN OF STEELE

'Bank clerk' David became the unlikeliest Ashes hero

- ■by MIKE WALTERS

HE WAS the bank clerk who went to war - and half a century later, England need another helping of David Steele’s bulldog spirit.

Greying, bespectacled and nearing his 34th birthday, Steele marched out to face the venom of Aussie pace demons Dennis Lillee and Jeff Thomson on his Test debut at Lord’s 50 years ago tomorrow and his defiance lifted the mood of a nation.

Famously, on his way to the middle Steele missed the turning through the Long Room, dropped down one flight of stairs too many and found himself outside the gentlemen's cloakroom.

On the outfield he passed Thomson, who greeted him with the cheerful one-liner: “Bloody hell, who have we got here - Father ****** Christmas?”