"Paul Terry" Photo Susanne Marlow

Shaggy came into the 1st team not like most players who wouldn't say boo but full of bravado wanting to be the next Ian Botham. Before long he was stealing the couch from underneath the senior players. He took control of the tv remote and began torturing us with his favorite programs. Neighbours, Home and Away, basically any shows that didn't require any common sense but the pictures were good. He would still be ogling over bosums as we walked onto the field after lunch.

Being one of the senior players I was designated with having to chaperone him around the country for away games. Naturally he lived as far from Southampton as possible in his beloved Camberley. This was great for the rest of the lads when we had time of as we knew that Shaggy was miles away but not good for me when travelling as I had to go miles to pick him up. Not content with picking him up he would then proceed to take over my car. Out of the tape deck would be pulled a bit of classic Elton John to be replaced by Take That or some disco banging rap. If that was not enough Shaggy crooning all the way to the destination believing he was Gary Barlow certainly finished me off. When he wasn't singing he would muse over his beloved Camberley CC and Aldershot FC. Great trips!!

Of course Shaggy isn't a bad cricketer. Okay a sign of weakness on my part admitting to this but then I'm assuming this won't be read by too many. Some of the things I always liked about his game were his enthusiasm, his longing for a fight and his love of an occasion. The enthusiasm to always want to bowl regardless of the game situation and how his own bowling was going. The enthusiasm he showed in taking wickets. The familiar punch in the air and the utter exuberance. And then there was his love of a fight. Last year he showed several times over his love of a fight when coming into bat with that other lover of a scrap, Adie Aymes, and needing to get the team out of a precarious position. It's those situations when he has to knuckle down and work hard which brings out the best in Shaggy. Losing his constant place in the team when Shane Warne played for the club was another instance when he needed to show his fighting ability. Losing that and the vice captaincy could have ruined others but it seems to have brought out those fighting spirits in him.

His love of occasion always showed it's head when Hampshire were doing well in the early 90's and Shaggy was a pivotal part of that success. He was never afraid of the occasion but indeed thrived on it. As a team mate you had a sense of confidence when the captain threw him the ball and told him to strut his stuff. He showed that same confidence when he played for England

If I had any advice for Shaggy now coming into this benefit year it would be that he uses this year as a springboard to set him up cricketing wise for the next few seasons. Keep showing that enthusiasm, fight and love of occasion. Put in the hard graft which applied to your natural talent and charisma could see the next few years being the best of your career.

Shaggy if only you had better musical, tv, sporting, sleeping, drinking, driving, reading habits we could have made something of a friendship. You don't so we will just have to continue to badger, berate and belittle each other and keep giving the impression of some deep personal relationship underneath it all.

Finally benefit years, although very rewarding and at times great fun, can also be very demanding and have an affect on playing performance of the beneficiary. With Shaggy I don't see this as a problem. I think he will love the attention, thrive on the workload and bring out the best of him on the cricket field.

Shaggy. To you, Emma and the rest of your family have a great year. Despite all I have said you deserve it.

Paul Terry