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About Phillip 'daffy' DeFreitas

Daffy as he is fondly known, started his county career in 1984 and quickly established himself as an international player, making his debut for England at the age of 20 alongside players such as Botham, Gatting and Gower. Over his career Phillip DeFreitas has built a reputation as a benchmark professional and a genuine ambassador of the game.

Since his retirement Phillip DeFreitas has worked hard to progress through his ECB qualifications and secured coaching roles at both Oxford UCCE and Nottinghamshire CCC developing first class talent.

Phillip 'Daffy' DeFreitas remains hugely passionate about the game and has equipped himself quickly growing into a proactive cricket coach with the clear intent to relay some the vast experiences learnt over his distinguished career.

Phillip’s golfing interest means he plays at a high level making him a popular celebrity at many high profile golf events around the country. Often winning awards, especially at the longest drive.

Phillip has a great deal of experience in after dinner speaking, in particular a combination of speaking and Question & Answer sessions, to which Phillip's personality is extremely well suited. He is always happy to give his honest, passionate, amusing and, if need be, controversial opinion on a number of topics.

Phillip is enjoys making appearances as a 'celebrity face' to help make an evening a little extra special for both young and old. He is extremely accommodating to people who wish to discuss matters with a sporting celebrity.

Phillip's cricket stats, records & career history

Full Name: Phillip Anthony Jason DeFreitas

Born: 18th February 1966, Scotts Head, Dominica

Major Teams: Leicestershire, Lancashire, Boland, Derbyshire, England, Lashings World XI

Batting Style: Right Hand Bat

Bowling Style: Right Arm Fast Medium

England Statistics:
Test Matches: 44
Debut: Brisbane, Australia 1986
Wickets: 140

Cricket World Cups:
Played in 3 World Cups 
Played in 2 World Cup Finals

First class playing History:
Leicestershire County Cricket Club 1985-1989
Lancashire County Cricket Club 1989-1994
Derbyshire County Cricket Club 1994-1999
(Captained Derbyshire)
Leicestershire County Cricket Club 1999-2005
(Captained Leicestershire)

One Day International Debut:
England v Australia at Perth, Bensons & Hedges Challenge, 1986/87

First Class debut:
Leicestershire v Oxford University at Oxford, 1985

International Honours:
England to Australia ‘86/’87 (Ashes winning Test)
England to Pakistan ‘87
England to Australia & NZ ‘87/’88
England to India ‘89
England to West Indies ‘89/’90
England to Australia ‘90/’91
England to New Zealand ‘91/’92
England to Sri Lanka ‘92/’93
England to Australia ‘94/’95
England to South Africa ‘95/’96
England to India & Pakistan ‘95/’96

Other Records:
Achieved the rare double of 10,000 first class runs and 1,000 wickets.

The only bowler in the history of English cricket to have taken 5 wickets in a single innings against all 18 first class County sides.

Why's he nicknamed 'Daffy'

When Phillip DeFreitas was playing for the MCC ground staff as a young lad of 16, his partner in crime was another 16 year old cricketer, Phil Tufnell.

When the coach, Don Wilson, shouted “Phil”, they used to wind him up by responding when they knew he wanted the other one. So in a moment of despair with these game for a laugh youngsters, he renamed them “Daffy” and “Tuffers”.

Their nicknames stuck!

Batting & Fielding

M I NO Runs HS Ave SR 100 50 Ct St
44 68 5 934 88 14.82 55.23 0 4 14 0

Bowling

O M R W Ave BBI 5 10 SR Econ
1639.4 367 4700 140 33.57 7-70 4 0 70.2 2.86

Batting & Fielding

M I NO Runs HS Ave SR 100 50 Ct St
103 66 23 690 67 16.04 83.83 0 1 26 0

Bowling

O M R W Ave BBI 5 10 SR Econ
952 113 3775 115 32.82 4-35 1 0 49.6 3.96

Batting & Fielding

M I NO Runs HS Ave 100 50 Ct St
355 506 47 10535 123 22.95 10 53 126 0

Bowling

O M R W Ave BBI 5 10 SR Econ
11557 2452 33339 1205 27.66 7-21 61 6 57.5 2.88

Batting & Fielding

M I NO Runs HS Ave 100 50 Ct St
467 339 67 5115 90 18.8 0 13 100 0

Bowling

O M R W Ave BBI 5 10 SR Econ
3769 412 14747 534 27.61 5-13 12 7 42.3 3.91