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Never mind the world renowned, international superstar and big-earning players on show during the Friends Life Twenty20 Finals Day, there was only one name on the lips of the sell-out crowd at Edgbaston on Saturday.
As the chorus of chants bearing Gary Wilson’s name echoed around the Eric Hollies Stand throughout the pinnacle of the County Cricket season, it was fitting recognition for a player who’s stepped out of the shadows and into the limelight after nearly a decade at the Kia Oval.

Wilson has been one of the unsung heroes of the county’s limited overs success this year with the 27-year-old excelling in the middle-order. His performances have seen him cement a place in a star-studded side despite the presence of overseas stars such as Graeme Smith, Ricky Ponting and Glenn Maxwell.

The loudest cheer of the day was arguably reserved for the Irish international as he strode to the middle before the decibel levels further increased inside Edgbaston as Wilson swatted off-spinner James Middlebrook to the square-leg boundary for a maximum.
However, that was as good as it got for Wilson and Surrey.

Overwhelmed with the support at finals day! Shame about the result but we'll be back next year! Fantastic day #holliesstand

— Gary Wilson (@gwilson14) August 18, 2013

Middlesex’s 2008 success apart, who’s side contained Joyce, Morgan and Murtagh, Twenty20 Finals Day hasn’t been kind to those from these shores.

Four Irish internationals have now experienced defeat at the final hurdle. Wilson joins Niall O’Brien, George Dockrell and Joyce, who also suffered Finals Day disappointment with Sussex, to experience defeat in the showcase event of the domestic season.

Nevertheless, it was a memorable day for the Dundonald-born batsman. The chants, cheering and partisan atmosphere underline why a place in Twenty20 Finals Day is so highly-craved by all eighteen counties and apart from the fact it was all in good humour, Wilson deserves the appreciation nonetheless.

Gary Wilson celebrates with his fan club

It’s been a long and arduous road for the former MCC Young Cricketer to get to this point.

Understudy

Wilson was initially signed in 2005 as a back-up wicket-keeper to the experienced and evergreen Jon Batty before the county swooped for England international Steve Davies in 2010. Wilson was consigned to the Second XI and despite some impressive performances with both bat and gloves, first team chances were few and far between.

That was until the 2011 World Cup when he shone for the Boys in Green in the sub-continent, underlining his value as not just a wicket-keeper batsman but also a more than capable fielder who has the ability to up the tempo in the middle-order.

Last year’s tragic circumstances at the Oval gave him a chance in the Championship – Wilson hasn’t looked back since.

The 27-year-old was the third highest run-getter for the county in the Twenty20 this term, as well as scoring over four hundred Championship runs to date including a second First-Class century against Ed Joyce and Sussex. The impressive figures don’t stop there however- a recent match-winning 85 in the Yorkshire Bank 40 competition highlights his ability to adapt to all formats of the game.

The wicket-keeper batsman has always been highly valued by Phil Simmons but this season is proving to be a defining one for Wilson at club level.

A name that few noticed among the swaggering stars is fast becoming a permanent fixture in the Surrey dressing room and more importantly, an ever-present on the scoreboard.

The opportunities this year aren’t quite over yet though, Wilson can enhance his growing reputation and increase his fan base further in a few weeks time when England are the visitors to Malahide for the RSA Challenge.

Wilson will be back in Ireland colors in just two weeks for the RSA Challenge

Ryan Bailey
[353] Gary Wilson – wilson-gary
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