Famous Cricketers No 45 - Hedley Verity

Memories of Hedley Verity By John Kay I remember Hedley Verity extremely well from his days as professional at Middleton in the Central Lancashire League where he played in seasons 1928-30. He was looked upon as an unusually promising youngster by Yorkshire who had advised him to gain experience as a professional in the Lancashire League with Accrington, but he was not too happy here as the older players were a little sceptical of his youth and would not field where he wanted them to. Consequently, he readily accepted an offer fromMiddleton who promised him that they would have a team that encouraged youth. They kept their promise and he joined a team that included five or six teenagers, fleet of foot and accurate with their throwing. In addition they were willing and able to take up positions in what they laughingly called “Hedley’s death squad”. With Hedley’s influence it was a happy and contented team with him staying at the home of the Kay family in a house behind the bowler’s arm. As two Kay sons were in the team and the father was on the committee, it was cricket every day either on the field or off and many late-night discussions were held – an atmosphere in which Hedley thrived. Although there was no actual clause to the effect in his contract, the Middleton committee decided that they would never stand in his way if the call came from Yorkshire, but with the proviso that the county send a substitute professional and that Hedley paid for him. His consequent career is well chronicled and nobody at Middleton was surprised at his achievements. He was proud but modest about these and was especially delighted with his 15 wickets in 1934 at Lord’s, particularly as he took Don Bradman’s wicket in each innings. Although he was often referred to as the natural successor to the legendary Wilfred Rhodes, this was not quite accurate. “The Old Master” bowled slow left-hand spinners harnessed to variations, in flight and off the pitch. Verity was also a left-hand spinner, but bowled at a quicker pace than Rhodes. He also had a remarkable ability to make the ball lift off a good length thus providing problems galore for batsmen. He was never a second Rhodes, but always a first Verity. When war was looming, his study of military literature was typical of this conscientious man and his rapid rise through the ranks to Captain in the crack Yorkshire infantry regiment of the Green Howards was certain. He died of wounds in Italy after having given his “all” for county and country, leaving a wife and two sons. He was mourned as a “Gentleman and Player”. Who could ask for more? John Kay was for many years chief cricket writer of the Manchester Evening News and was a distinguished player for Middleton C.C. in the Central Lancashire League. 5