Capable of swinging the ball late, many of his wickets were gained through lbw or bowled, often with an inswinging yorker delivery.

Gough retired at the end of the 2008 cricket season with Justin Langer as his final first-class wicket.

[10] After a breakout season in 1993, Gough went on an A tour to South Africa, following by making his Test debut for England against New Zealand at Old Trafford.

With the England team thoroughly outclassed, Gough played a solo hand taking 20 wickets at 21.25.

[15] There was a break for the limited over series – Gough injured his foot bowling his first ball in a match at the MCG and was taken to hospital.

[16] X-rays revealed a stress fracture in his foot and he missed the final two Tests of the series.

Once again injury prevented Gough from playing as an inflamed knee caused him to miss the final two tests.

Only down 1–0 thanks to Gough's heroics at Old Trafford where he batted over an hour with Robert Croft to save the game for England.

Chasing 219 for victory, South Africa were 5/27 when Gough took the wickets of Gary Kirsten, Gerhardus Liebenberg and Daryl Cullinan.

The final morning began with South Africa needing 34 runs with 2 wickets in hand.

Gough batted for 133 balls and 145 minutes in resisting but was Muttiah Muralitharan's 9th wicket of the innings.

Gough bowled MacGill with a searing yorker that hit the base of middle stump and two balls later had Glenn McGrath lbw to give England a 12 run win.

[26] It was Gough's only Test Victory in Australia and was remembered by his exuberant celebrations of shaking a stump over his head.

[29] It was almost a year until Gough would next play Test cricket as England toured South Africa.

The West Indies continued their momentum into the 2nd Test at Lords when they took a 133 run lead into the second innings.

[43] Gough made his one-day debut for England against New Zealand taking 2/36 from 11 overs at Birmingham in 42 run win.

Just as he was hitting his peak his body betrayed him and he constantly battled knee injuries.

[citation needed] In 2006, Gough was awarded an honorary degree by Huddersfield University in Barnsley.

[53][54] In the same year he was awarded honorary life membership by Yorkshire Cricket Club.

[55] He was appointed Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) in the 2020 Birthday Honours for services to cricket and charity.

[56] In October 2019, Gough was appointed as a fast bowling consultant for England cricket team for test matches against New Zealand.

[59] In November 2024, Gough was appointed as the head coach of Lahore Qalandars for the upcoming 2024 Global Super League in Guyana.

In 2005, Gough took part in the BBC television show Strictly Come Dancing, partnered with British National champion Lilia Kopylova.

He was the first cricketer to win the show, a feat former teammate Mark Ramprakash would emulate the following year.

Following this he took part in the Strictly Come Dancing live tour during January and February 2008.

In 2009, Gough became the face of UK convenience store chain Costcutter, featuring in their TV adverts until 2011.

[63] As an outspoken fan, Gough became the brand ambassador for Collier's Powerful Welsh cheddar in 2010 making a number of appearances notably at the International Cheese Awards in Nantwich.

[64] Darren and his wife Anna divorced in 2002, after eight years of marriage but remarried in 2018; they have two sons.