David John Grimwood Sales, also known as “Jumble,” was a talented and hard-hitting cricket player from England. Born on January 26, 1978, Sales made an explosive start to his first-class career at the age of 18. In 1996, he smashed an impressive 210 not out against Worcestershire, becoming the youngest person to score a Championship double hundred.
Sales was hailed as a young cricketer with immense potential for international success. However, despite a long and fruitful county career, his dreams of playing for England never materialized. Although he never earned an England cap, he represented the Lions, which came close to achieving his international aspirations.
Throughout his career, Sales exhibited a captivating style of play that made him a joy to watch. His ability to generate destructive innings made him a prized scalp for county bowlers. Despite inconsistencies and mediocre returns early in his career, Sales broke through in 1999, scoring an impressive 1,291 runs at an average of 51.64.
Unfortunately, Sales’ journey was plagued by injuries. During a tour to the Caribbean with the England A side in 2000-2001, he suffered a serious knee injury while playing beach volleyball, causing him to miss the entire 2001 season. Despite setbacks, he returned to the game in 2002.
Sales’ highlight year came in 2003 when he narrowly missed out on scoring 1,000 runs. The following year, he was appointed county captain for Northants, a role he held until 2010. During his captaincy, Sales showcased his astute cricket brain and contributed to the team’s success on and off the field.
Throughout his 19-season career, Sales accumulated an impressive record, playing in 577 matches and amassing nearly 23,000 runs in all competitions. While his first-class average fell just below 40, his contributions to Northants were highly valued. His retirement in 2014 marked the end of an era at the club.
David Ripley, Northants’ head coach, paid a heartfelt tribute to Sales, describing him as an international-class batsman, a top slip fielder, an astute cricket brain, and a humorous presence in the dressing room. The game of cricket definitely lost some of its allure with Sales’ departure.
Sales’ statistics speak for themselves. However, his career will forever be tinged with a sense of unfulfilled potential. His inability to earn an England cap was a source of regret for him, as he admitted. Nonetheless, Sales played a vital role in county cricket and will be remembered as an exciting and dynamic player who brought joy and excitement to the pitch.
David John Grimwood Sales’ legacy may have been one that fell short of international acclaim, but his contributions to the game and his county should never be overlooked.
