Two seasons without Cumberland cricket.

Posted by Tony Hutton

Thinking back the other day I realised that two cricket seasons have passed me by without seeing Cumberland county cricket club in action. Of course this is largely due to the covid epidemic, but also in part to the recent reorganisation of what was Minor Counties cricket, so treasured by many of us from the older generation. The new National Counties set up in it's place, which has been prodded and poked by the already dysfunctional English Cricket Board, has reduced the number of three day games by such an extent that you can hardly find any to watch anyway. In addition last season the name of the club was changed to Cumbria county cricket club, the administrative county which took in Westmorland and parts of Lancashire and the West Riding of Yorkshire many years ago.

I go back a long way with Cumberland, having seen their very first Minor Counties game, as a teenage spectator, against Yorkshire seconds at Edenside, Carlisle, way back in 1955. After that, exile in the Midlands for twenty years and work commitments meant that I did not see them again, apart from one game against Warwickshire seconds at Edgbaston, until about forty years later. Then one of the benefits of enforced early retirement made it possible to join the club as a member, which I have remained ever since. 

Edenside, Carlisle.

Probably the most memorable game here was the 2015 championship decider against Oxfordshire. Cumberland won in quick time on day two of a scheduled four day game by bowling the visitors out for 85 and 89 and then requiring only five to win, doing so by ten wickets. Toby Bulcock, the left arm spinner now with Staffordshire, was one of the top performers along with paceman Richard Gleeson, who soon afterwards joined Northamptonshire.

The proud picture banner of our blog site at Sedbergh School is of course one of the Cumberland grounds, now sadly taken over by Lancashire county cricket and 'discovered' by the cricketing media, which means bigger crowds and a lack of the peaceful atmosphere to which I have been accustomed for so many years. Here is one of the alternative views of the ground of which I have many.

Sedbergh School cricket ground.

The last time I saw Cumberland play was in July 2019 at the Netherfield cricket ground in Kendal, when rain on the last day robbed the home side of victory over Cambridgeshire. I have seen many games on this attractive ground over the years and believe it was 1999 when Cumberland beat Dorset to win the league title in a thrilling encounter. Steve O'Shaughnessy, once of Lancashire and now a first class umpire, scored a century in the first innings and in a run chase on day three Ashley Metcalfe, formerly with Yorkshire, won the match with another century.

However the top scorer in this high scoring game was a young twenty year old, Andrew Sexton of Dorset, who made 196 in Dorset's second innings. He made only a handful of appearances for Hampshire, but sadly then disappeared from the first class game. He did not play for Dorset again and seemed content to play league cricket for the rest of his career.

Cricket at Netherfield, Kendal.

Some of my earliest memories of Cumberland cricket were at the wonderful Keswick cricket club. However the problem there always seemed to be the weather with rain, and lots of it, a regular feature. There certainly were some fine days and some good cricket. I remember well a visit from Durham county cricket, I think for a benefit match when the unknown opening bat for the county, who made quite a few runs, turned out to be the club physio. David Boon and a young Paul Collingwood also played.

Fitz Park, Keswick.

Over the years I have managed to celebrate some of my notable birthdays by watching Cumberland cricket. The first attempt for my 65th ended in failure as the scheduled 38 county knock out game with the Yorkshire Cricket Board at Millom was called off after overnight night, despite a fine day. So a picnic lunch on the beach at nearby Silecroft was the order of the day.

Millom cricket club on an earlier occasion, when play actually took place.

Five years later I was at Workington for another one day trophy game between Cumberland and Herefordshire when my son and grandson flew in unannounced from Dubai. I have been a member of both counties for many years and they gave me a game to remember when Cumberland chasing 207 to win put on 39 for the last wicket only to lose by one run. At dinner that night my three year old grandson announced to all and sundry 'my grandad is seventy years old today'.

The Ernest Valentine ground, Workington.

Ten years later I was back at Netherfield for another one day game between Cumberland and Norfolk to celebrate my 80th birthday. This time a high scoring affair with Norfolk making over 300 and Cumberland out for 263 with just one ball of their innings remaining. All happy days indeed.

I also have happy memories of Cumberland games at the two Barrow grounds, Furness cricket club and Barrow cricket club. Again early days' memories at Barrow, sitting with the late Keith Hornby on the grass bank alongside the pavilion, while the conversation flowed all day. This a regular feature of all Cumberland games, home and away, when the former secretary Gilbert Johnstone and long serving treasurer Eric Carter were always full of stories from the past and providing detailed information of the players now appearing.

Barrow-in-Furness cricket club, with the hospital buildings behind, 2005.

Gilbert Johnstone, in the green cap, looks to be on the receiving end at Furness C.C.

Hopefully old memories can be revived during the 2022 season, old haunts to be re-visited and old friendships renewed.