Nightwatchmen and Hospital Radio

Posted by Peter Davies

Wednesday 28 April

Half an hour at Headingley, Yorkshire v Durham, and what an eventful stay. Yorkshire had posted 600 in their first innings and the Durham batters were now in. They'd done reasonably well to only lose a wicket while making it to 60-odd. Then Adil Rashid took two wickets in two balls - and almost claimed a hat-trick. Will Smith went first, then nightwatchman Mark Davies for 0 first ball. Nothing to boast about for a nightwatchman, but Davies remains one of my favourite county cricketers on account of his appearance at an end-of-season friendly match at Arthington, north of Leeds, a couple of years back. He turned up with his mates from Doghouse CC in the north-east and really took the game seriously - even though, in the scheme of things, as a county cricketer on the fringes of England selection, it was small beer. Then at the end of the game he shook the hand of every cricketer playing in the game. Great attitude.

Headingley was looking good, with the huge new pavilion structure dominating the far side of the ground. It will be ready apparently for the Pakistan-Australia Test match. I sat down just to the left of the members' area. Headingley-based Professional Cricket Watcher and fellow blogger Brian Sanderson walked towards me and we had a good chat about life and Yorkshire CCC. Then we were joined by Gomersal CC stalwart Gerald 'Geraldo' Hickmott. He is the club's 1st XI scorer and another Professional Cricket Watcher who seems to divide his time between Headingley and Old Trafford. Then another bloke we didn't know started talking to us. Then Huddersfield-based Professional Cricket Watcher David Thorpe bumped into us as he made his way out of the ground at stumps. He was with his friend Alan Beevers. Brian Sanderson, by the way, was saying hi to almost everyone who passed by. Does he know every single Yorkshire supporter to say hello to?

My colleague at the University of Huddersfield, Rob Light, is working on a Knowledge Transfer Partnerships project application and the main partner would be Yorkshire CCC. Rob is planning to investigate the heritage of Yorkshire cricket via outgrounds, local customs and regional traditions. YCCC Chief Executive Stewart Regan is our main contact and he also walked past myself and Brian Sanderson. He said hello and confirmed a date for his meeting with Rob and myself. He also asked whether the university's Cricket Research Centre would host a special workshop in the run-up to the Pakistan-Austraalia Test match on the heritage of Asian cricket in Yorkshire. I naturally said yes!

Then to Brian Sanderson's house for a cup of tea and a piece of parkin in advance of the sports quiz we were attending at the Leeds Rhinos Supporters Club in aid of local hospitaal radio. Brian's house is full of interesting cricket memorabilia and he showed me many rare items. I also checked on the Lancashire score on Ceefax - much to Brian's disgust! Then to the quiz. Myself, Brian Senior, Mick Bourne and Brian Sanderson formed a team and we performed modestly. But a good night nevertheless!