Keith Stevenson

Keith Stevenson (born 6 October 1950) is a former English first-class cricketer who played for Derbyshire from 1974 to 1977 and for Hampshire from 1978 to 1984. Stevenson was born in Derby. His involvement in cricket began when he was scorer for his father's team before he began playing alongside him at his cricket club. In 1968 he was playing for Derbyshire Old Juniors and made the Second XI in 1969. He played for the Derbyshire under 25s in 1972, while appearing for the Second XI. He was meanwhile employed by Rolls Royce Limited in Derby.Stevenson played for Derbyshire in the Benson & Hedges Cup and John Player League in May 1974 and made his first-class debut in a match against the Indians in June 1974 in which he scored 25 not out and took 2 for 47. In May 1975 he played in a notable match against Lancashire at Buxton. It started in sweltering heat and Lancashire were able to run up 477 for 5 and take three wickets for 29 runs before the close of play. The next day Derbyshire defeated Glamorgan in the John Player League on the same ground. However on the Monday the ground was covered by 3 inches of snow and play was impossible. The Derbyshire team feared the worst on the Tuesday, for at that time bowlers' run-ups were protected but the wickets themselves were not and they were dismissed for 42 and 87. Stevenson took his first 5 wicket innings later that season with 5-65 against Essex. In 1976 he took 5-47 against both Somerset and Lancashire and in 1977 took 7-68 against Warwickshire in 1977.In 1978 after considered transferring in the previous season, Stevenson moved to Hampshire who offered him a longer-term contract than his native Derbyshire. Hampshire won the John Player League that summer defeating a Middlesex side containing nine current and future Test players at Bournemouth to take the title by 26 runs. In 1978 he took 6-73 against Sussex and 5-72 against Surrey. He achieved his best bowling performance of 7-22 against Oxford University in 1979 after 5-