[2] The cricketing correspondent Colin Bateman remarked, "Phil Sharpe was possibly unique in that he was selected by England for his exceptional catching ability in the slips."
Born on 27 December 1936 at Shipley, West Yorkshire, Sharpe attended public school, Worksop College, in the 1950s where he scored a 240 not out against Wrekin in 1955, a batting record which still stands.
Although he was an accomplished and talented middle-order batsman, the England team had been guilty in previous matches of dropping crucial catches, particularly behind the wicket.
[3] He responded by taking a total of seventeen catches, batted more consistently, including recording his maiden Test century against New Zealand at Trent Bridge that same year, but he suffered from the fact that England had no upcoming winter tour.
His catch, standing close in against the West Indies at Old Trafford in 1969, to dismiss Joey Carew was described by Wisden, in their classic style of understatement, as "memorable"[1][2] though others thought it miraculous.