Hundred in August marks birth of daughter Hannah, born previous day, Gooch slipping away from fielding duties to be present. Moustache begins to curl up at edges.1984CHAMPIONS once more and Gooch enters his pomp. More than 2,500 runs – the first in eight years to pass the mark – with seven hundreds including career-best 227 County also win John Player League Stays king of the sunhat. Moustache takes on fully-fledged guardsman’s look.1985RECALLED by England in triumphant reclamation of Ashes.

Has comparatively low-key series until making majestic 196 in final Test at Oval, puts on 351 with old buddy David Gower. In NatWest Trophy shares record partnership for any Lord’s final of 202 with Brian Hardie. Moustache carefully waxed at ends, stubble makes big comeback.1986SUFFERS along with everybody else on England’s disastrous spring tour of West Indies. Back home in England scores a century apiece against both India and New Zealand but summer made by triumphant appointment as Essex captain Noted for audacious approach, title regained. Now they can boast six Championships, two victorious Lord’s finals, three Sunday League titles and the Refuge Assurance Cup. No wonder the members gave Gooch a standing ovation when he led Essex out on to what was once a field of dreams and yesterday became a field of memories.My own favourite is his 108 against Nottinghamshire in 1984 It is also one of Gooch’s. Richard Hadlee was swinging and seaming the ball unplayably in overcast conditions; lesser mortals perished but Gooch played him like a god.With innings like that in the memory bank, it is not so difficult to understand why Gooch, even at 44, has decided to call it a day.

“Thank you very, very much.”Sadly, for what might have been an emotional farewell innings, the heavens had been brooding all morning and at lunch the skies opened. Perhaps they had caught the mood of the day – one of regret that a great career, and an era in Essex cricket, was coming to an end. When Gooch made his debut in 1973, against Northamptonshire at Westcliff on the eve of his 20th birthday, Essex had not won a major prize. Fittingly the sun shone as, with a farewell wave, Gooch took his leave between a guard of honour of Worcestershire players.”I’ll miss you all,” he told the crowd from the pavilion balcony, after paying a poignant tribute to his parents, team-mates and the county staff. Next over Leatherdale took three fours off Stuart Law, Worcestershire’s bete noir of Friday evening, and the stand was established.Hick, pulling Ronnie Irani imperiously to reach 50, kept the momentum going so that the century partnership came at almost a run a minute.