A late summer day to savour from 1985

 

By Mike Latham

There’s something magical about stealing cricket days in the late summer sunshine in September. With every passing day a reminder of the miserable winter to come, cricketing enthusiasts eke out those last few days of the season, each day one to treasure.

So, it was for me 35 years ago, as I recalled on locating some long-lost photos the other day. Derbyshire v Warwickshire in a midweek three-day county championship fixture at glorious Queen’s Park, Chesterfield, starting Wednesday 11 September 1985.

I managed to get a day off work, the forecast good and set off early from my home in Atherton. Chesterfield’s not the easiest place to visit when you live in Lancashire, though the journey then, through Stockport, Hazel Grove and the Peak District was a darn sight easier then than it must be now. I can still recall the excitement of seeing the glorious Queen’s Park ground, where I had first visited with my dad 14 years previously, Warwickshire again the opposition for a Sunday League fixture.

Derbyshire games always seemed a more attractive proposition for me than going to Old Trafford, a ground I always found cold and austere. At Derbyshire there was a warmth and friendliness, the welcome on the gate, the friendly smile and cheerful disposition of the man selling raffle tickets and copies of Frank Peach’s simply wonderful yearbook, a labour of love if ever I saw one.

As matches go, this was largely inconsequential, Derbyshire ending 13^th in the table, Warwickshire two places below them. But even 35 years on I can recall a purposefulness to the cricket, and as usual at Chesterfield a good-sized and attentive crowd.

Warwickshire captain Norman Gifford won the toss and inserted the home side- and at first his decision looked justified.

Paul Smith, a tearaway fast bowler, got stuck in, as my photos show.

He removed the Derbyshire openers, Bruce Roberts and Iain Anderson quickly and followed up with the prize wicket of the home captain, Kim Barnett, two to slip catches by Robin Dyer, 34 for 3.

Bruce Roberts b Smith

Iain Anderson c Dyer b Smith

Kim Barnett c Dyer b Smith

We all have heroes as young men. One of mine was John Morris, a simply outstanding batsman when in the mood. He’d played for England U19s, was set for a great career and though he did achieve international honours (three Tests, eight ODIs) never realised his full potential. He ended up with over 21,000 first-class runs at an average of just over 37, scored 52 first-class hundreds. He was class but should have achieved more.

But I can remember far more of his batting style and some of the innings I saw him play- including an imperious hundred one day against Yorkshire at Harrogate- than many played by players who finished with more honours and higher first-class averages.

John Morris drives Stephen Wall through the covers

John Morris hits Norman Gifford for six

Michael Holding batting with the famous crooked spire in the distance

Gladstone Small bowls to Paul Newman with the Queen’s Park pavilion in the background

Michael Holding on his way to 62

John Morris reaches his century, Warwickshire wicketkeeper Geoff Humpage leading the applause, Michael Holding the non-striker

Anyway, this was Morris’s day- confident, composed, timing the ball to perfection, standing upright and smiting beautifully timed shots through the covers, or hitting the spinners through the arc.

Andrew Brown supported him, a young left-hander making his way in the game, batting confidently to reach 74, then his highest score.

Morris had reached 92 and Derbyshire 168 for 3 when he was injured and had to retire hurt, resuming at 318 for 7, Derbyshire’s overseas professional Michael Holding then in full flow.

Morris reached his hundred, finished unbeaten on 109, Holding made 62 as Derbyshire declared on 354 for 9, Smith and Stephen Wall each taking four wickets in what became a toiling attack.

Back to work on Thursday I missed Warwickshire’s collapse, 123 all out, Holding 4-28. Following on they made a better fist of it, taking the game into a third day, eventually mustering 265, Asif Din following up his first innings 44 with a battling 89, Holding 6-90.

Left with a target of 35, Derbyshire romped to victory by ten wickets. My Wednesday in Chesterfield was a day to savour, made all the more enjoyable by recently discovering the photos I took that day. I hope you enjoy them, too.