TEAM WORK COUNTS

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 80, Issue 276, 20 November 1937, Page 4

TEAM WORK COUNTS

YORKSHIRE’S CRICKET ASSET FIVE TIMES IN THE LEAD VALLE OF THE BANK AND FILE. The value of team play which has been responsible for Yorkshire winning the English county cricket championship on five occasions in the past seven years is pointed out by Mr. J. M. Kilburn of the Yorkshire Host. “Whatever else may be said of Yorkshire’s cricket it must at least be accounted fascinating; there are complaints of dull batting, of minds knowing no higher flight than points and percentages, of humourless insistence upon results above all else, but Yorkshire cricket seen in this light has been only half viewed,” says the writer. “You would scarcely call Dickens dull because of the essential detail that must be absorbed before the full majesty of the story can be revealed. Yorkshire's cricket in any given half-hour may appear painfully laboured, but Yorkshire’s purpose at the end of the third day is usually plain enough for all who care to look. Such principles may or may not be acceptable to the world at large, but at least they are principles and as such worthy of attention. On these grounds, I sometimes wonder if Yorkshire’s cricket is not more adequately represented by its lesser lights. Your Sutcliffes and Leylands and Veritys, and Ly this time Hutton must go with them too, are rather more than Yorkshiremen playing Yorkshire cricket. They have gone above and beyond local bounds and represent Yorkshire, so to speak, by accident. As Hammond and Bradman and Trumper ant* Grace and all the truly great belong to all cricket rather than to their particular localities, so Sutcliffe and Leyland and Verity and Hutton are universal figures. In Yorkshire’s colours no doubt they can be found playing Yorkshire cricket, but they have always something more within them and they would be equally appropriate in any setting. Essence of Play. The essence of Yorkshire's cricket is perhaps best represented in the Mitchells, the Turners, the Woods and the Smaileses of the game. It is not theirs to be blazoned across the daily headlines, not theirs to stand high in national averages or evolve endless discussion whenever their names are mentioned. It is their task, and their delight, to pass the days of the summer in patient service, 50 runs scored here, two or three wickets taken there, catches created and held, and ground fielding tirelessly accomplished. When the great ones are in form, the more modest sink into the background, but when need arises the quiet, ready spirits are rarely found wanting. Every successful cricket team needs its highlights, batsmen and bowlers of outstanding ability, but there must also be the solid back-cloth against which the brilliance can glitter. It is, I fancy, in this solidity that Yorkshire cricket has its greatest asset and no more than justice is done when a little attention is drawn to it. Autumn and Spring Blended. Perhaps of all the major features of this Yorkshire season, nothing has been more remarkable than the work of Sutcliffe and Hutton. Autumn and spring so wonderfully blended that blossom and fruit have been indistinguishable. As there have been times when Sutcliffe’s brilliance has had all the charm of youthful enthusiasm, so occasionally has Hutton’s calm maturity suggested a lifetime of experience behind him. Hutton never appeared a raw cricketer even at the age of 17; Sutcliffe never looked upon the ball with a jaded and reminiscent eye even as his critics announced his cricket dotage. The batting of these two, beautiful, creative, competent, has provided by no means the least fascination of a fascinating season, and as I write now the picture of thrilling partnerships in the Scarborough festival comes flooding upon me to say that not yet must we lose these heroes, not yet can we afford to separate the warrior of a thousand battles from the knight with all his '.ournaments before him. Watch Yorkshire’s cricket in the light of individuals or in the nature of a team, as you please; in either case reward is sure. There is beauty blended with utility in batting; there is perseverance, length and strength (though sometimes an undoubted lack of penetration) in the bowling and there is skill and cunning in the field. Watch Yorkshire’s cricket, not idly, but with keen eyes and an understanding heart and its qualities will be revealed; seek the meaning in the moves, envisage the problems as the players see them and you will find your satisfaction undeniable.