Lancashire League ... World XI

[andyh]

Roger Harper , Everton Weekes

Bacup lad perchance?

[longside72]

Think they were from west indies

[Cheshireclaret]

It's incredible isn't it Cheshireclaret? And at a time where you could only hit a six on selected grounds. My dad said it made no difference because he rarely lifted the ball. I've just googled it and he had a test average of 58.61. Frank Worrell was the only one of the three Ws I saw play.

I do marvel at some of the achievements in years gone by, such as these and often wonder just what the likes of Sky Sports would make of them if it had been around back then. Sadly, as we all know with their like, sport only began in the early 1990’s so regardless of the lack of footage, these sporting greats rarely get a mention.

[Local cricketer]

It's incredible isn't it Cheshireclaret? And at a time where you could only hit a six on selected grounds. My dad said it made no difference because he rarely lifted the ball. I've just googled it and he had a test average of 58.61. Frank Worrell was the only one of the three Ws I saw play.

Any reason you could only hit 6s on certain grounds Tony? A thick edge at rawtenstall usually brings 6

[ClaretTony]

Any reason you could only hit 6s on certain grounds Tony? A thick edge at rawtenstall usually brings 6

It was all based on the size of the ground.

I think Burnley & East Lancs, and possibly Nelson, were the only grounds where you could hit a six on all four sides but it had to clear the ground then, not just the boundary. Other grounds it was permitted on some sides and others not at all so it mattered not how far you hit it, it was still just a four.

[dsr]

Colne, for example, in the 1800's had 3 for all boundaries towards Keighley Road and Byron Road, but 4 for boundaries to the Grange or the Bowling Green.

This changed to 4 for all boundaries.

Then 6s were allowed but only if the ball went to the Grange or Bowling Green end and completely left the field - over the trees or over the bowling green.

It was only in the late sixties (I think) that the standard rule of a 6 for all hits clearing the boundary rope came in.

The idea was that on some grounds (the smaller ones) hitting sixes was too easy.

[ClaretTony]

It was only in the late sixties (I think) that the standard rule of a 6 for all hits clearing the boundary rope came in.|

I’d no idea when the rule was changed but I remember a game between Church and Burnley in 1964 when Burnley needed 6 off the last ball to tie. Derek Chadwick cleared the ground by some distance only for the umpire to signal 4.

[ClaretTony]

My uncle has been watching Bacup for many, many years and still to this day, he doesn’t tire of talking about Everton Weekes. He would almost certainly be his first choice on such a list.

I bumped into an old friend of mine a few days ago by the name of Jack Schofield who played for Burnley in the 1950s & 1960s. Jack’s 87 now but still doing some umpiring in the Ribblesdale League.

I mentioned this thread to him and the batting of Weekes. He said on one occasion he played against Weekes he suggested to captain Derek Riley that they play without wicket keeper given that Weekes never missed the ball. He said he was by far the best he played against in the league.

[Burnley1989]

I bumped into an old friend of mine a few days ago by the name of Jack Schofield who played for Burnley in the 1950s & 1960s. Jack’s 87 now but still doing some umpiring in the Ribblesdale League.

I mentioned this thread to him and the batting of Weekes. He said on one occasion he played against Weekes he suggested to captain Derek Riley that they play without wicket keeper given that Weekes never missed the ball. He said he was by far the best he played against in the league.

Derek Riley was a great bloke, I miss him

[ClaretTony]

Derek Riley was a great bloke, I miss him

I think Derek went to school with my dad and my dad would have been 98 later this year. I think Derek retired from playing in the late 60s.

[FCBurnley]

It's incredible isn't it Cheshireclaret? And at a time where you could only hit a six on selected grounds. My dad said it made no difference because he rarely lifted the ball. I've just googled it and he had a test average of 58.61. Frank Worrell was the only one of the three Ws I saw play.

As a kid I remember patting Everton Weekes on the back (at Turf Moor) after he and Midgely ? had made some huge partnership. Weekes told me to clear off !!!!! Never liked him after that but what a player. Conrad Hunte and Collie Smith were my boyhood heroes.

[Cheshireclaret]

I bumped into an old friend of mine a few days ago by the name of Jack Schofield who played for Burnley in the 1950s & 1960s. Jack’s 87 now but still doing some umpiring in the Ribblesdale League.

I mentioned this thread to him and the batting of Weekes. He said on one occasion he played against Weekes he suggested to captain Derek Riley that they play without wicket keeper given that Weekes never missed the ball. He said he was by far the best he played against in the league.

Wow, a lovely anecdote and one I’ll share with my uncle. Thank you Tony.

[ClaretTony]

Wow, a lovely anecdote and one I’ll share with my uncle. Thank you Tony.

I’ve not chatted with Jack for a while. We managed to block the fruit & veg aisle in Tesco for an age while his wife went round with the trolly. He was a very good cricketer in his day.

[Burnley1989]

I think Derek went to school with my dad and my dad would have been 98 later this year. I think Derek retired from playing in the late 60s.

I’m best friends with his 3 grandchildren, his son Bill a great bloke, unfortunately none played cricket and all follow Lowerhouse

[ClaretTony]

I’m best friends with his 3 grandchildren, his son Bill a great bloke, unfortunately none played cricket and all follow Lowerhouse

I knew Bill years ago but not seen him for a long, long time. I think Derek would be pleased they have an interest in cricket despite their choice of club.

[Aclaret]

Bacup lad perchance?

And Chris Cairns was a decent all rounder.

[Bordeauxclaret]

I bet he was.

[westend2016]

Gary Sobers played one game for Church cc and was out 1st ball never asked him again!

[westend2016]

Peter Swart South African played for East Lancs was a great pro and outstanding cricketer
When I asked him before the season started what he was hoping to achieve he bluntly stated 1000 runs.100 wickets. 100 women
When I played against him at the end of June I asked him how is three targets were going on. REPLY STRUGGLING FOR RUNS MATE

[HuncoatClaret]

Damien Fleming was an unbelievable bowler, but for a shoulder injury he'd have played a lot more test matches. Whenever anything is said about the great pro's of the Lancs League, I find it amazing that Dik Abed is never mentioned. In 10 seasons, from 1967 to 1976, he scored 5271 runs at an average of 27.17 and took 855 wickets at 10.27 with his fast-medium bowling. In 1968, when Enfield won the championship for the first time in 25 years, he took 120 Wickets.

[CaymanClaret]

That's a very important distinction to make, some of the greats did not make great " Professionals " in the League, due to attitude, the stage they were at in their career etc ...

I've heard of a certain " Pro " from the Indian sub-continent who did nothing but play on match days and then sit in his accomodation and watch video's all day, whereas I can imagine certain Australian's from all era's having local fathers keeping a very close eye on their daughters ....

That sounds like Manoj. I got one coaching session with him, but I think everyone was shocked when he turned up at the Colts session...