Hot news from Durham county cricket.

Posted by Tony Hutton

Zoomed in yesterday evening to a very positive Durham members' forum with the admirable Durham management team of chief executive Tim Bostock, director of cricket Marcus North, head coach James Franklin and newly returned player Scott Borthwick. The chief executive had recently attended a meeting of all county executives with a positive feeling about the coming season, despite the fact that the early season games would have to be played behind closed doors until May 17th.

However he was reasonably hopeful that Durham would be given the opportunity of staging a pilot scheme Championship match at the Riverside to 'test the water' for the re-admission of spectators on either 22nd April (against Derbyshire) or 29th April (against Warwickshire). He emphasised that as Durham had less than 4,000 members all would be guaranteed admission when the first phase commences.

The session was chaired by Martin Emmerson the BBC's Durham cricket correspondent who seemed delighted when Marcus North announced that Scott Borthwick, newly returned from a spell with Surrey, would captain the side in Championship cricket for the coming season. Borthwick was also suitably pleased both to be back in his native county and to have the opportunity of becoming captain.

Scott Borthwick

Martin Emmerson had a good supply of questions from Durham members and in answer to one of them it was announced that Cameron Bancroft, the Australian test player, who had captained the side in 2019 would be returning for the coming season, but not until the beginning of May, due to an extension to the Australian domestic season into April. Right on cue the said Mr Bancroft scored a century for Western Australia yesterday! It was also revealed that a short term overseas signing would be made to cover his absence during April, but negotiations were still not quite complete.

The second overseas player will be David Bedingham, from South Africa, who played last season. It is hoped that eventually he will be able to obtain a UK passport which would then open the door for another overseas signing, as each side are allowed two overseas player for the coming season. The management team obviously have very high hopes for this player.

Another question asked if there would be a full programme of second eleven fixtures during the season. This was also confirmed and members were told the fixture list for the second eleven would be announced shortly. It was mentioned that for the early away match with Essex both squads would travel, with a second eleven match going on at the same time as the first team game. Some concern was expressed at the loss of players to The Hundred competition, with Matty Potts recently signing for the Northern Superchargers. However it was felt that the squad was good enough to give some of the younger players opportunities in the Royal London Cup which will take place at the same time as The Hundred.

While appreciating that many members were not in favour of the new competition, Tim Bostock was adamant that it would be successful and said that the £1.3 million received was a lifeline both for Durham and many of the other counties. Other questions related to the continued streaming of county games and again the answer that more resources were being put into place for a better system, with more cameras etc., was no doubt very well received. An extremely positive evening all round.

 

When Axar Patel played for Durham

 Posted by Tony Hutton

Axar Patel is already making a considerable impact on Test cricket, but how many people can remember his appearances for Durham in County Championship cricket during the summer of 2018. He was then best known as a one day international and T20 player in India and very little was known about him in this country when he joined Durham as a short term overseas signing towards the end of the season in 2018.

In fact he only played in four Championship matches for Durham. I managed to see part of both home games against Northants and Sussex at Riverside, although he also played in away games against Glamorgan and Warwickshire. He certainly started well in the game at Cardiff when he contributed 95 not out to help Durham to an innings victory, taking two tail end wickets in the first innings and just one in the second as Chris Rushworth bowled the visitors to an easy win.

Patel did not contribute much in the home defeat by Northants, just taking two wickets in the second innings as the visitors cruised to a seven wicket victory. However in the next match against Warwickshire at Edgbaston he came up with his best bowling performance for Durham with 7-54 in the second innings including the wickets of Sibley, Bell and Ambrose. He also helped Durham bat out for a draw with a valuable innings of 22 as wickets fell quickly and they only survived with two wickets in hand.

Axar Patel at the Riverside.

I can remember seeing him finish off Sussex in his final game which was all over in three days at the Riverside. In a remarkable game which started with Durham bowled out for 103 by Ollie Robinson with five wickets and South Africa David Wiese with three, they bounced back with a vengeance. Chris Rushworth destroyed Sussex by taking 8-51 and bowled them out for 122. So only a slender lead for Sussex and anyone's game at this stage.

Durham batted much better in the second innings with a career best score of 160 from American born opener Cameron Steel. This helped take them to an all out score of 340 thus setting Sussex a daunting target of 332 to win with plenty of time remaining in the game. The visitors were never in with a chance after Rushworth and Salisbury soon reduced them to 11-3. Despite 40 from Haines and some middle order resistance Sussex were dispatched for 135 with Patel finishing them off with 3-27 at the end. Durham winning by 186 runs.

As I write this today Axar Patel has been busy demolishing England's second innings in the third Test Match at Ahmedabad in front of his home Gujarati crowd. After taking 6-38 in England's first innings of 112, and despite Joe Root's 5-8 for England, he almost took a hat-trick spread over two innings, missing out by just one ball. He went on to take 5-32 in the second innings, helping Ashwin to dismiss England for a paltry 81. India requiring just 49 runs to win have recently coasted home to a ten wicket victory in less than two full days. No doubt the assembled pundits of the world will be having a field day for some time to come.

Westmorland League Cricket Grounds Part 4 of 4

By Mike Latham

This completes the series of potted histories of the Westmorland Cricket League’s grounds, together with photographs. I hope you’ve enjoyed it. Many thanks to John Glaister, the league’s historian, for the invaluable background and insight. I hope this series has inspired you to visit the league during the summer months. You won’t be disappointed.

Silverdale CC- founded 1893

Though the date of formation of the current club is 1893 records survive of a cricket match in Silverdale in 1884 and throughout the 1880s there is some evidence of the struggle to sustain a club. There are several, well-remembered Silverdale CC fields, the latest being the Cove Road ground where they moved to as recently as 1999. The current ground has stone walls which separate the boundary between Lancashire and Cumbria and glorious, extensive views across Morecambe Bay. Time your fixtures and you can watch the first innings here, then the second innings at Carnforth or Arnside, without missing a ball bowled over tea. There are few better days out.

Trimpell CC: Founded 1941

In anticipation of war the government commissioned the building of an oil refinery at Middleton, near Heysham. Work began in 1938 and the name Trimpell is derived from the three companies involved: Trimpell Asphalt (TR), Imperial Chemical Industries (IMP) and Shell Oil (ELL). Aviation spirit began to flow in 1941. Between 1942 and 1945 Trimpell played in a curtailed Lancaster and District League in a field off Money Close Lane, Heysham. On joining the WCL in 1946 they had a ground on-site at Middleton before moving to their current home, Out Moss Lane, Morecambe in 1949. In terms of facilities no village club could compare with the spanking new Sports and Social Club that opened in 1956 or the new pavilion opened in 1962.

Warton CC- founded 1907

The club moved to their present Hyning Ground in 1949 courtesy of Earl Peel, a descendent of the former Prime Minister, Robert Peel, who then lived at Hyning Hall. Warton cricket field is the only piece of real estate that the current Earl owns locally. He lives in North Yorkshire. The main railway line passes by to the east and play is suspended when an oncoming train is overheard in the distance. By contrast sheep graze contentedly behind the opposite end. The pavilion is long and spacious, car-parking plentiful. It is to be hoped that Warton CC survive the sad loss of club stalwart Colin Bolton last year, aged 88. A former player, captain, groundsman and official, he was, quite rightly, named ‘Mr Warton’ and oversaw the ground’s developments from rustic roots to one that hosted local cup finals and county youth matches. Gentleman like him come along once in a lifetime- if you’re lucky.

Westgate CC- founded 1936

Originally named 'Brook & Kershaws' and playing in the Lancaster and District League, the ground was then adjacent to Westcliffe Drive in the Westgate district of Morecambe. The club was re-named Westgate in 1939, moved to the present ground, Crosshill Park, in 1969-70 and transferred to Westmorland cricket in 1971. Westgate CC is the middle of three grounds located in close proximity, Torrisholme CC to the north, Bare CC to the south, opposite the Vale of Lune RU club on the other side of Powder House Lane.

Windermere CC- founded 1857

The Windermere club moved to Queen's Park Recreation Ground after the land had been purchased by the local council. The cricket ground was inaugurated by a Married v Single game in May 1899. Sharing their facilities with the town’s football club, the ground has superb views of distant Lakeland peaks. The directions to the ground, on one of the league’s excellent web sites, give a flavour to watching cricket in these parts: ‘To get to Queen’s Park, turn left off the A591 on to Thwaites Lane, the first opportunity as you come into the village approx 100yds before Windermere Hotel. Follow this road down past Lakeland outlet on right, under railway bridge and through housing estate until you reach a T junction (Droomer Drive). The Park is in front of you, but to get there turn left on Droomer and proceed about 100yds and find a small lane leading to a bridge over the beck and car park.’

Contrasting Matches

 posted by John Winn

Sifting through my scorecards for the period 1951to 1990 before returning them to the loft I lighted upon a couple of contrasting matches from a week in August 1990. One, my first roses', match sticks fairly clearly in my mind. The other, two days later, a second XI match, I had completely forgotten. The roses match was played at Old Trafford between the 18th and 21st and although much interfered with by rain produced an exciting finish. 

On winning the toss Lancashire's formidable batting built up a strong position on the first day, reaching 417 for 8 by stumps. Centuries for Atherton and Watkinson, 99 for Fairbrother and wickets for Carrick being the highlights. The second day was washed out and when I made my appearance on the third day, a Monday, patience had to be exercised before I saw any cricket. Lancs added just 16 to their overnight score before striking early to remove Metcalfe for 5 followed shortly by Sharp who retired hurt, his thumb broken by a ball from Wasim Akram. Enter Phil Robinson to join Moxon and it was almost close of play before the two were separated when the former fell to Watkinson who had an outstanding match. 190 for 3 at stumps prompted Moxon to deny himself the chance of a century and declare at the overnight score.

Lancashire threw down the gauntlet on the fourth morning and added 73 for the loss of Akram, sent in to open, with Fowler helping himself to 50 not out. Metcalfe 5.4 overs 0 for 44 suggests where most of them came from. The occasional bowler redeemed himself in an opening stand of 77 with Moxon as Yorkshire set about a target of 317 off 95 overs for victory. Robinson and Blakey went cheaply and despite some resistance from Byas and Carrick the red rose closed in on victory. Cometh the hour, cometh the man with the broken thumb, for Sharp emerged at the fall of the eighth wicket and when Jarvis was ninth out Batty joined Sharp to see out the last 32 deliveries to draw the match. Five wickets for Watkinson and three for Atherton.

 Watkinson and Atherton share a joke

I did not return to Manchester from my Peak District base on the last day of the match. By this time I had got the bit between my teeth in my quest to see every county play every other county and I took the opportunity to make my first appearance at Derby where Middlesex were the visitors. On a pitch deemed 'clearly unfit for first class cricket' Middlesex, set 271 to win, saw their championship colours lowered for the first time that season when they were bowled out for 99, to lose by 171 runs. The highlight of the match, which true to form I missed, was a century by Gatting on the second day but which did not prevent Derbyshire being deducted 25 points.

The second XI match that I referred to in my opening paragraph was I suspect an interlude on my journey home to Sussex. It took place at the Worthington Simpson Ground at Balderton near Newark with Notts II hosting Leicestershire II in a three day game. Notts played 22 second XI championship games here between 1973 and 1993. I have but the vaguest memories of watching Notts bat on the opening day but the scorecard lists some familiar names, Pollard, Newell, Johnson, the Saxelby brothers and Chris Scott who joined Durham two years later as first choice keeper. Les Taylor took wickets for The Foxes and other names that might chime include Ferris, Whitticase and Cobb. The match was drawn thanks in the main to stubborn work from Martyn Gidley and Les Taylor who held Notts at bay when nine wickets were down.

Cricket Archive has no record of matches played on this ground after 2001. The last match was between Balderton CC and Welbeck Colliery CC in the Nottinghamshire Premier League. Looking up Balderton CC now shows them playing at Coronation Street New Balderton,I suspect this is not the same ground and that pump manufacturers Worthington Simpson are no more. 

An outstanding cricket biography

By Mike Latham

Every so often a cricket book pops through your door that takes your breath away.

‘Lives in Cricket, Bill Bestwick, Rough Diamond’ is such a book.

It is not lavishly printed or produced- but it has the advantages, often ignored, of a highly readable font and some outstanding images.

And its 216 pages inside a softback cover draw you in with the quality of the research and writing that the author Mick Pope has applied to his task.

Bestwick ranks high stats-wise among Derbyshire’s elite, the bare facts showing 1,452 wickets at an average of just over 21, first played 1898, last played 1925.

Les Jackson (1,670 wickets at 17.11), Cliff Gladwin (1,536 at 17.67) and Tommy Mitchell (1,417 at 20.20) feature alongside Bestwick in the county’s top four career bowlers.

All four had one thing in common, as Pope explains, as they emerged from the mines. ‘All four knew the filth, the danger and the darkness of the pit, but this special quartet also knew the joy of ‘honest toil’ on a long summer day in pursuit of wickets,’ he writes.

Bill Bestwick, Rough Diamond

Born at Heanor, Bestwick was a right arm medium-fast bowler ‘who must rank as one of Derbyshire’s most colourful and controversial characters,’ Pope states.

But he was a flawed genius, and Pope’s thorough examination of this side of his character makes the book compelling reading.

‘His intemperance was as prolific as his wicket-taking and his almost insatiable thirst brought him trouble both on and off the field of play.’

Bestwick was acquitted of a manslaughter charge in 1907 following a violent late-night fight with a fellow collier, a sequence of events, including the subsequent trial that Pope outlines in detail.

He was sacked by Derbyshire in 1909, the county ‘weary of his heavy drinking and unruly behaviour.’

Migrating to South Wales, he played club cricket for Neath, a few games for Glamorgan, before returning to the Derbyshire ranks after the first world war, finally retiring at the age of fifty.

In June 1921 he became the first Derbyshire bowler to take all ten wickets in an innings, ironically against Glamorgan at Cardiff, this after a heavy night on the beer with his old mates from South Wales.

He later turned to umpiring, standing in three Test matches, until his death in 1938.

Pope’s writing style is engaging and flowing, his research impeccable. This is not a dry book of facts, events and statistics, for he manages to interweave all the elements that make up a quality biography.

He does not judge Bestwick but presents the facts in such a way the reader can decide for themselves. He does not claim any false idolatry, nor condemn.

Racecourse Ground, Derby before redevelopment

Having seen cricket at Heanor, Bestwick’s hometown, at the Racecourse Ground at Derby before redevelopment- when it must have looked similar to when in Bestwick’s day, at Nelson- where he was sacked as their professional for behavioural issues, at Neath and other significant places among Bestwick’s journey, like Chesterfield and Glossop made the book come alive to me.

Published by ACS Publications, it costs £16 and is part of their Lives in Cricket series: https://shop.acscricket.com/?product_cat=lives-in-cricket

Nearly 40 years ago Robert Brooke wrote a quite brilliant book that was published by the ACS. ‘John Edward Shilton’s Book- Triumphs & Disasters of a Warwickshire Cricketer.'

John Edward Shilton’s Book- outstanding

A modestly produced 64-page booklet but the quality of research- especially in pre-internet days- is quite remarkable. Up until now, I’d say that was the best cricket biography I’d read. Now, I would say that Mick Pope captures the spirit and quality of Brooke and as technology has moved on in the past 37 years his book reflects that progress.

As a county, Derbyshire has had some outstanding writers, statisticians and historians chronicling its heritage- Mick Pope pays tribute to two of them, John Shawcroft and David Baggett in his acknowledgements.

John Shawcroft’s epic work

If you have not seen it, Shawcroft’s epic publication ‘A Celebration of Derbyshire County Cricket Club’ a 150-year anniversary, published by the club in 2020 is simply superb.

David Baggett’s contribution as a statistician has added so much.

I would also add three people to that list.

The venerable Frank Peach produced a series of outstanding county year books over a long period from the 1960s to the 1980s. They set the standard with meticulous research and engaging text, not least some beautifully-written and sympathetic tributes by Michael Carey, warts and all, to departing players.

Steve Dolman wrote an ACS produced book about another Derbyshire stalwart, Edwin Smith, then followed up with another outstanding book ‘In Their Own Words’ with interviews with some of Derbyshire’s leading players. Steve, exiled in Scotland, is the man behind the highly readable and informative county blog, Peakfan.

It was through Steve's blog that I found about the Bestwick book.

Just as important as the words, in my opinion, are the images. And for many years now Derbyshire are fortunate to have David Griffin following their fortunes as club photographer. 

Finally, a massive well done to the Association of Cricket Statisticians and Historians, who have contributed so much to the game since its formation, not least in producing this wonderful book.

 

Westmorland Cricket League Grounds part 3

 By Mike Latham

John Glaister, the Westmorland Cricket League’s highly respected historian, kindly gave me the background to the clubs in the league for a feature I wrote in a recent Cumberland CCC yearbook. Having visited all the grounds in the league and taken photographs, I decided that the feature deserved updating and wider publicity. Here is part of 3 of 4.

Leven Valley: Founded 1882

Although the cricket field is idyllically situated in the Vale of Leven next to the river it could easily have been Christened 'Haverthwaite CC.' In the early days they tended to play with a group of similarly circumstanced clubs, namely Cartmel, Crake Valley (Greenodd), Grange and Holker. In 1929 they joined the Ulverston and District League (formed 1925) and were its last champions in 1939. In 1949 they joined the WCL and against all the odds won the 1972 Championship. Come 1987 they were in Division 5. Again, against all odds, they survive to this day.

Milnthorpe CC- founded 1863

The Park Road men revived their cricket club in 1921 but with nowhere to play. The old field had been taken as allotments during the Great War. Fortuitously the town secured a lease on the Town Meadow (ie. today's field) as a recreation ground from the Dallam Tower Estate so Milnthorpe CC have played there since 1921. Milnthorpe Corinthians (re-formed in 1927) share the facility, affiliated to the Westmorland FA and playing in the West Lancashire Football League.

Sedbergh School- school founded 1525, cricket club founded 1841

Sedbergh School Second XI will compete in Division One of the Westmorland League in the 2021 season with the Third XI in Division Two. The School has fantastic facilities and has developed a great reputation for producing top class cricket, hockey and rugby players as well as its academic record. In 2019 the School hosted Lancashire’s four-day championship game against Durham and has been a regular venue for Cumberland CCC games in the Minor Counties Championship.

A team from Sedbergh, unconnected to the School, previously competed in the Westmorland League, playing at a ground to the south-east of the town (pictured above), but folded soon after playing in Division 3 of the League in 2015. Westmorland League cricket returned to the town when Sedbergh School 3^rd XI joined in 2019.

The former Sussex and Durham cricketer Martin Speight is Director of Cricket at Sedbergh School while current first-class cricketers Harry Brook and Jordan Clark feature among the distinguished list of old boys, including Norman ‘Mandy’ Mitchell-Innes, who played one Test for England in 1935. Historically part of the West Riding of Yorkshire, Sedbergh became part of the new county of Cumbria after the boundary changes of 1974. School cricket was inaugurated here in 1841 and the current main ground was completed in 1885 thanks to the largesse of William Wakefield of Sedgwick House (see below).

Sedgwick CC- founded 1869

Westmorland cricket has much to thank the famous Wakefield family of Sedgwick House, Sedgwick which was completed in 1869, very near to their old house. The builder was William Henry Wakefield who had three fanatical cricketing sons, John, Jacob and William Harry (junior). In 1874 he laid out a new ground for country house cricket in front of the house. It became a nationally known venue and despite ups and downs is where Sedgwick CC play today. The pavilion, with its famous honours board, may be listed.

Shireshead & Forton CC- founded 1909

When the club moved to the School Lane ground in Forton in 1968 it was their sixth field. They came to Westmorland cricket from the Lancaster & District League in 1976. Clifton Park is protected from any other future development other than that as a cricket field as it enjoys Queen Elizabeth II Protected Playing Field Status. This ensures that cricket is safeguarded at this scenic venue, just off the A6 south of J33 of the M6 between Preston and Lancaster. The club website has an excellent historical section and reveals that cricket in the region can be traced back to the 1850s.

Wartime cricket in Yorkshire - July 1943

Posted by Tony Hutton

Firstly I must congratulate our fellow contributor, the prolific Mike Latham, who was yesterday honoured by Leigh Centurians Rugby League club, of which he is Chairman. His picture now appears on the wall of honour of the Centurian pub in Leigh which shows the all time greats of the club. To see the picture search Mike Latham on Facebook. The respect felt for all his hard work over the years is mirrored by the number of congratulatory comments. He feels that this is equivalent to the heads of American Presidents which appear on Mount Rushmore!

Now back in time to cricket during the Second World War when I was a regular spectator as a very young boy at Roundhay Park Oval in Leeds. The month of July 1943 was particularly memorable as my uncle Geoff Stones and his two brothers were not only regular members of the Jack Appleyard's XI charity team but also appeared, together with a brother in law, for Kirkstall Educational in the Hepworth Cup Final played at Roundhay in front of an estimated crowd of 22,000.

More of that later, but the month started on Sunday 4.7.1943 with a rather low key game at Roundhay between Jack Appleyard's XI and Edgar Robinson's Bradford League XI. Appleyard's team contained several county players, Horace Fisher (Yorkshire), Tommy Mitchell (Derbyshire), Frank Woodhead (Notts), B.P. King (Worcester) and Jim Bailey (Hampshire). None of them, apart from Woodhead who top scored with 38, made many runs and chasing 133 to win just made it by one wicket.

The Bradford League XI reinforced by Charlie Harris (Notts) and Tom Goddard (Gloucester) with many notable league players such as Arnold Hamer, later to do well with Derbyshire after the war, had struggled to make an all out total of 132.

         Cricket at Roundhay Oval some years later in 2002.

A week later Appleyard's XI made 200-7 with Horace Kippax scoring 57 and F. Ambler 54. This was far two many for Lancashire's Bill Farrimond's XI who could only make 126-7 in a drawn game. Tom Goddard took 6-80 for Appleyard's XI. He played on for Gloucestershire for several seasons after the war and was always a regular wicket taker.

Sunday 18th July saw some high scoring with Yorkshire's Wilf Barber scoring 101 not out, Hampshire's Jim Bailey 73 in forty minutes and Horace Fisher 40 towards an Appleyard's XI  total of 244-3 against a British Army XI. The Army side replied with a good effort, making 191-9 with Yorkshire and England batsman Maurice Leyland making 38, Whitehead 53 and Wreford-Brown 54.

The following Saturday saw some interesting league cricket games including a Leeds League match between North Leeds and Kirkstall Educational. My uncle, Geoff Stones, who was a slow left arm bowler took 5-47 for Kirkstall to dismiss North Leeds for 135. Kirkstall then cruised to victory with 142-2. In the Bradford League Johnny Lawrence, who was to make his mark for Somerset after the war, scored 141 not out for Bingley against local rivals Keighley in a total of 241-4 declared. He then proceeded to take 5-25 with the help of four stumpings and a catch for wicket keeper Ken Fiddling, who joined Northants after the war.

Roundhay Oval, Autumn 2015

Sunday 25th July saw Appleyard's XI secure an easy victory over Rotherham at Roundhay Park with a total of 176-9 including 49 from Yorkshire's Alex Coxon and 44 from Hampshire's Dawson. Rotherham were bowled out for only 59, with leg spinner Tommy Mitchell from Derbyshire taking 6-23. The following day Appleyard's XI played an evening match at East Leeds and, including three Stones brothers, had another easy victory.

To round things off for the month Saturday 31st July saw the big match the Leeds League Hepworth Cup Final take place at the Roundhay Oval in front of a massive crowd estimated at 22,000 by the local press. This is the first game I can really remember attending, at only six years old, mainly due to the fact that my uncle Geoff Stones was playing and actually spoke to me while fielding on the fine leg boundary. His two brothers Philip and George also played together with Roy Walker, who married his sister in law. Philip became a famous TV and film actor, dropping the final s from his surname in the process. Another brother John was very lucky to survive time spent in a Japanese prisoner of war camp.

  Kirkstall Educational 1943 with the Hepworth Cup. 

Geoff Stones is on the left of the back row, with Philip beside him. George Stones is third from right on the back row and Roy Walker, who emigrated to Australia, is extreme right on the front row

Can't say I remember much about the actual game but Kirkstall won it with some ease bowling out Lofthouse for only 102 (Geoff Stones 6-46, Philip Stones 4-50) and then proceeded to knock off the runs scoring 104-3 to win by seven wickets. I am sure Geoff was good enough to have played county cricket, but like so many his best years came during the war. However he moved on with more success first at Hanging Heaton in the Yorkshire Council and then with Lancaster and Morecambe in the Ribblesdale and Northern Leagues in Lancashire.

Unknown to all those present at the game that day far away in Italy, where fierce fighting was still going on, the great Yorkshire and England cricketer Hedley Verity was killed in action. News of his death only got to England a few days later when numerous tributes were paid by former team mates to this much revered cricketer and gentleman. On Saturday 4th September his former captain Brian Sellars wore a black armband in his memory while playing for the Army against the National Police XI at Lord's.

                                                                               Hedley Verity

A year later a Hedley Verity memorial match was held at Roundhay Oval with two star studded sides of great cricketers including Wally Hammond, Herbert Sutcliffe, George Duckworth, Eddie Paynter and many more, with Wilfred Rhodes as one of the umpires.. Unfortunately it was affected badly by rain, but not before his great friend Len Hutton had scored 80 not out.

Their best was still to come

 posted by John Winn

Like a good wine second team cricket scorecards are often more interesting when allowed to mature. Such is the case with the record of a Second XI Championship match played at Leamington CC, Leamington Spa in July 1992. My presence there was to some extent fortuitous for I was due in Solihull the next day for a meeting but with the end of term in the offing I had escaped the shackles of office in time to arrive at the pleasant ground by mid afternoon of the first day. Warwickshire were batting and their opponents were Yorkshire and when I arrived the home team were mounting a recovery from 73 for 6, first of all via a stand between Ashley Giles and Graeme Welch and after Giles was dismissed Welch received good support from Paul Booth and Ben Usher. The house of Usher did not fall and he ended on 30 not out with Warwickshire all out for 259. The wickets were shared by Harrogate born Ian Houseman (4), Adil Ditta (2) and Chris Silverwood (2), the last of whom went on to be better known. 

In the Warwickshire side was Anderson Cummins, who for the next two season proved a popular overseas player with Durham and who played five tests for the West Indies although he cracked no pots in this match. Yorkshire replied with 170 for 7 declared, runs for Bradley Parker and Richard Kettleborough and when Warwickshire replied they added a further 154 before declaring. A target of 244 proved way beyond Yorkshire and they were all out for 130. 

I have already mentioned Giles' contribution, 23, for he did not bat in the second innings and did not bowl in the entire match. He did play in all but one of Warwickshire's Second XI Matches that season taking 36 wickets and scoring almost 500 runs. He was to make his first class debut a year later at Canterbury having made the short journey from Maidstone when Alan Donald stood down at short notice. Wisden notes that (Giles) 'batted confidently in both innings and his bowling revealed potential.' Despite this promising beginning Giles was to play only one other first class match in 1993, at Durham in August when his only wicket was that of 'Foxy' Fowler as Durham registered their only home championship win of that season.

Other than Giles a second player to become an England hero was involved that sunny afternoon at Leamington namely Michael Vaughan, Giles' future England captain and great friend. Vaughan had a match he has probably forgotten for he scored 0 and 3 and bowled 8 first innings overs without success. He was however only seventeen and his end of term report in Wisden spoke of his 'patience and concentration when opening the batting.' Like Giles, Vaughan was to make his first class debut in 1993,versus Lancashire at Old Trafford when he made a battling 64 against a rampant Wasim Akram. This earned him another game, in the less febrile atmosphere of Grace Road where he scored 13 in each innings.  

I did not come away from Leamington that July day saying I had seen two England players in the making and even if I had it would probably not have been Giles and Vaughan but 13 years later they took part in what is frequently described as the greatest Ashes' series ever. A fine wine indeed.

Arlington Avenue, Leamington Spa CC

Westmorland Cricket League Grounds Part 2

 By Mike Latham

Here’s Part 2 of the Westmorland League Cricket League grounds, background information kindly provided by the League’s estimable historian, John Glaister. I hope it inspires you to watch cricket in this well-run league this summer. Parts 3 and 4 to follow.

Coniston CC: First established 1872, continuous since 1962

The history of Coniston CC is a chequered one. An attempt was made in 1884 to re-establish the 1872 club which prospered until 1876. The 1884 club was very short-lived. In 1910 there was another revival with cricket on the Institute Recreation Ground, where they play to this day. It took some time to get the club up and running again after the Great War, but cricket was again played on the Rec' in the 1930s. Since joining the Westmorland Cricket League in 1947 there have been two phases, 1947-1954 and 1962 until the present day. The 1872-76 club played on a ground ‘picturesquely situated near the far-famed Coniston Lake.’ The present ground is simply lovely amidst awe-inspiring scenery, and a visit to Coniston CC comes highly recommended, as does a visit to any ground in this league.

Galgate CC: Founded 1860, re-formed 1877

Founder members of the Lancaster and District League in 1892, it was not until 1977 that the 'Silkboys' joined the Westmorland Cricket League. Though no longer producing silk the magnificent Galgate Mill still stands proud. Fourteen times were they L&DL champions and in 1993 WCL champions. Sport in Galgate shares a communal area, the Recreation Field, where Galgate FC have had their share of fame as well. Rhubarb is a prolific plant around the area and the bi-monthly local newsletter is entitled The Rhubarb City News. Close to Lancaster University and J33 of the M6, the village is an important centre of communications with the main-line railway line and the Lancaster Canal close-by.

Heysham CC- founded 1887/8

Heysham CC bought their Carr Lane ground in 1926 and could have played there since their formation. The ground was considered highly prestigious and a monolith of a pavilion was built by club members in 1934. The club joined the Lancaster & District League in 1900 and transferred to Westmorland in 1939. This is a beautiful ground to watch cricket, just inland from a great heathland and coastal area.

Holme CC: Founded 1866

The original organisation was called Burton and Holme CC, the two villages being indivisible. They often played independently against one another. This was before league cricket, of course. Initially the favoured ground was in Curwen Woods Park near Holme but then in 1872 Squire Hornby of Dalton Hall, Burton created his own country house cricket field. The break came in 1889 when Holme formed a new club. They have played on the North Road ground since 1921. The Burton club expired well before World War One. Both clubs were founder members of the Westmorland Cricket League in 1894.

Ingleton CC: Founded 1868

The Ingleton club has a unique position in the Westmorland Cricket League as they are based in Yorkshire and are detached from the main body of member clubs. Not until 1849, with the coming of the railway, did Ingleton enter the wider world. The team that played the first-ever game at Giggleswick School probably hopped on the train. It is likely that railway men and miners comprised the nucleus of the team. There were deep shaft mines on the edge of the beautiful Yorkshire Dales. Flanked by Ingleborough, spoil heaps and pit head winding towers - what an incongruous sight it must have cut, playing a game of cricket. It was also filthy and invariably cricket whites finished the game black. On Monday 21 October 1935 a 'cease work' notice was issued which ultimately finished the Ingleton coal industry. The cricket club played in the WCL between 1926 and 1935 and from 1978 to the present day. They have also had two spells in the Lancaster and District League, in 1925 and between 1964 and 1977. The club plays on the Town Sports Field, shared with football.

Kirkby Lonsdale: Founded 1840

Kirkby are the oldest village cricket club in South Westmorland (Appleby are the oldest in North Westmorland). They played their first competitive game against Sedbergh School in a field opposite 'The Swan' at Middleton on Thursday 7 October 1841. Securing a ground was an annual problem but in 1863 the Earl of Bective, the Master at Underley Hall, granted a permanent pitch on his patch. Right up until the outbreak of war in 1914 it was the scene of the gentleman's game. In 1924 the Lune Valley team succumbed to league cricket and on a new ground, Lunefield Park, where they still play. An amazing fact: Kirkby Lonsdale have never won the Championship of the Westmorland League.

Wartime cricket in Yorkshire - June 1943 (Part two)

Posted by Tony Hutton

More from the wartime archives of the Yorkshire Post newspaper.

22.6.1943 - Arthur Wood's XI v Jack Appleyard's XI at Yorkshire Post Sports Ground, Glen Road, Far Headingley, Leeds. This match raised £100 plus proceeds of an auction in aid of the Merchant Navy.

Appleyard's XI 106-6 (Scarborough 31, Lawrence 23) Wood's XI 107-5 (S. Lawrence 51 not out, Clarke 22, Wood 13). Sutcliffe hit a six and was then caught out.

Wood's XI - A. Wood (Yorkshire & England), H. Sutcliffe (Yorkshire & England), L. Hutton (Yorkshire & England), Vic Hey (captain of Leeds R.L.), Hepworth (Woodhouse), J. Clarke (Woodhouse), S. Lawrence (Carlton), H. Paley (L.I.C.S.), H. James (Leeds), G.Stones (Kirkstall Educational), and N. Bennett (L.I.C.S.).

Music provided by the Pipe Band of the 2nd Battalion Army Cadet Force.

Saturday 26.6.1943 - Major A.B. Sellars XI v The Army at Headingley. This was a star studded game with many well known county cricketers turning out. (12 players a side).

Sellars XI 201 all out (G.F.H. Heane 72, C.B. Harris 34, G. Lambert 3-42).The Army 202-8 (C.S. Dempster 52, F.T. Prentice 46, Bullock 3-44).  

Sellars XI - A.B. Sellars, M. Leyland, H. Halliday (all Yorkshire), A. H. Pearson, C.H. Hall, Douglas, Bullock, (Bradford League), W.H. Lister (Lancs), F. Sibbles (Lancs), G.F.H. Heane, C.B. Harris (both Notts), and H.G. Davies (Glamorgan).

The Army - Lt. C.S. Dempster (Leicestershire), Capt. H.T. Bartlett (Sussex), Pte. L.H. Compton (Middlesex), Maj. S.C. Griffith (Sussex - captain), Sgt. T.G. Evans (Kent), Capt. J.D. Robertson (Middlesex), Capt. R. Sale (Derbyshire), Sgt. Inst. G. Lambert (Gloucester), Sgt. Inst. M.S. Nichols (Essex), Lt. F.T. Prentice (Leicestershire), Sapper J. Knowles (Notts) and Capt. A.H. Parnaby (Durham).

Also on 26.6.1943 - In the Bradford League Len Hutton scored 105 for Pudsey St Lawrence v Bankfoot and Leslie Ames of Kent scored 75 not out for Windhill against Eccleshill.

 

Roundhay Park Oval today. It is hard to imagine Hill 60 full of spectators watching the cricket during the war. It got it's name from a hill near Ypres to remember the Leeds Pals dead from World War One.

Sunday 27.6.1943 - at Roundhay Park, Leeds, Jack Appleyard's XI 134 all out (Robertson 40, King 41, Wharton 5-34, G.H. Ellicott's XI 138-6 (Phillips 41, Emmerson 33, Fisher 3-19).

Appleyard's XI - W. Barber (Yorkshire & England), E. Paynter (Lancashire & England), M. Martindale (Keighley & West Indies), T. Goddard (Gloucester & England), H. Fisher (Yorkshire), G. Brook (Worcester), G. Carter (Eccleshill), G. Dawson (Pudsey St. Lawrence), K. Fiddling (Yorkshire), R. Shaw (Holbeck), J.D. Robertson (Middlesex) and B.P. King (Worcester).

G.H. Ellicott's XI - G.H. Ellicott (Menston), H. Halliday (Yorkshire), C.A. Hudson (Menston), H. Bolton (Otley), J. Swift (Yeadon), J.C. Rigg (Menston), F. Wharton (Yeadon), A. Davison (Eccleshill), H. Daphne (Yeadon), E. Emmerson (Guiseley), Sgt. J. Nightingale (Army) and G. Phillips (Idle).

 (To be continued).

The Castle on the Hill, county cricket comes to Lancaster

By Mike Latham

Lune Road, Lancaster remains a splendid cricket ground and a step inside gives an immediate feeling of space and history. Tom Alderson wrote a detailed history of the Lancaster club, entitled Cricket by the Lune, in 1984. Mr Alderson details the formation of the club in 1841 and dates the first match at the Lune Road ground as 3 June 1882, Galgate the visitors.

In 1914 Lune Road staged its first, and only first-class game when Lancashire took the Warwickshire fixture to Lancaster, an effort to stimulate interest in the county club outside its traditional heartlands.

The Lune Road ground in more recent times

The Lancaster CC committee worked hard to ensure the spectators were well catered for and the game was well attended, newspaper reports suggesting 2,000 on the first day, 1,500 on the following two days, the ground in splendid condition.

Played against a backdrop of the worsening international situation, the peace and normality of life was soon to be shattered as three days after the game had finished Britain declared war on Germany.

A timeless scene- the old castle and church on the hill overlooking Lune Road

Visiting journalists were mostly impressed by Lune Road, though one placed emphasis on the ugly gasometers in the north-east corner, making similarities with the Oval, the noise of the railway track that ran behind the north end of the ground and of some of the boats on the river behind. Others concentrated on the wonderful sight of the old castle and church on the hill opposite, standing out clearly in the afternoon sun, while moving figures on the turrets watched the action below.

Winning the toss and batting on the first day, when the weather was glorious, Warwickshire amassed 335 for 9 with centuries of contrasting styles by Willie Quaife and Charles Baker.

Charles Baker: vigorous and vicarious

Willie Quaife: careful and watchful

Coming together at 96-4, the pair added 150 for the fifth wicket in only 125 minutes, the left-handed Baker (‘vigorous and vicarious’ according to one report) batting quite brilliantly for 103, while Quaife, initially careful and watchful played the supporting role.

Quaife was on 46 when Baker was dismissed but went on to play some fine shots, reaching his century with the last man, Frank Field, his batting partner. Quaife’s first 50 had taken 150 minutes, his second just 70 and he was undefeated on 111 when the Warwickshire innings ended at 346 early on the second day.

In reply Lancashire batted dismally against the Warwickshire opening pair, captain Frank Foster and Percy Jeeves. The latter was slightly the quicker of the two, breaking the ball back both ways while Foster’s left arm swing caused no end of problems. Only the Lancashire captain, Albert Hornby, who once defiantly hit Jeeves onto the railway line, provided much resistance, undefeated on 37 as Lancashire meekly mustered 128 in an hour and three-quarters. Nine of the ten wickets were bowled, Jeeves taking 6-51, Foster 4-58.

To the surprise of many spectators Foster elected not to enforce the follow-on, his reasoning being that he and Jeeves were fatigued after their strenuous bowling efforts while Field, a key member of the attack was suffering from lumbago. Foster was also concerned that the weather forecast was poor for that evening and night and, in the days of uncovered pitches, wanted to avoid batting last on a potential ‘sticky dog’ on the Saturday.

Warwickshire reached 142-4 before rain brought a premature close at 5pm, Baker again batting freely against his home-born county, his undefeated 45 including one huge six into the Lune off Bill Huddleston. Baker’s delightful, clean hitting was said to be a revelation and he was only denied a second six into the river when the ball struck a telegraph pole.

Heavy overnight rain delayed the start on the Saturday by 45 minutes, the ground drying quickly but the uncovered pitch decidedly ‘sticky’ as Foster had predicted. Warwickshire, after declaring, quickly made inroads into the home batting. Foster, again bowling brilliantly, captured the wickets of William Tyldesley, Harry Makepeace, Jack Sharp and Johnnie Tyldesley to leave Lancashire 50-4. Jeeves then came up with two more wickets, a vicious leg-break to bowl James Heap, Hornby caught behind and at 61-6 the red rose was wilting in the sun.  Their target of 361 runs was a forlorn task.

The headlines of the third day’s play

Only Ernest Tyldesley held up Warwickshire for long, batting with ‘style, vigour and confidence’ and, briefly, he found support forthcoming from wicketkeeper Harold Garnett to entertain the spectators.

Together the pair added 76 for the seventh wicket in only 35 minutes, before Garnett was caught at the wicket by Tiger Smith off Crowther Charlesworth for 37. Tyldesley twice hit Charlesworth over the railway embankment for six but after he was bowled by Cecil Hands for 74 the Lancashire’s innings quickly subsided, play on the final day lasting only two-and-a-half hours.

Taken overall, Lancashire’s first venture to the county town for a first-class game was a decided success and the venture may well have been repeated the following year had not the war intervened.

War casualties: Harold Garnett…

William Tyldesley…

and Percy Jeeves

Three of the players in the game- Lancashire’s Harold Garnett and William Tyldesley and the Warwickshire professional Percy Jeeves were to lose their lives in the conflict plus, doubtless, countless members of the spectators who enjoyed three fine days of cricket unaware of the horrors that would soon follow.

The fascinating story of Percy Jeeves is one I shall attempt in a future blog.

Scores: Lancashire v Warwickshire, County Championship at Lune Road, Lancaster, 30, 31 July, 1 Aug 1914. Warwickshire 346 (WG Quaife 111*, CS Baker 103, JS Heap 4-62) and 142-4 dec beat Lancashire 128 (P Jeeves 6-51, FR Foster 4-58) and 187 (GE Tyldesley 74, FR Foster 4-80) by 173 runs.