Lives in Cricket No 40 - Edwin Smith

17 That was in 1948. Pope took six for 12 in 14 overs, as Yorkshire were dismissed for just 44 before lunch on the first day; then top-scored with 73 as his side took a first innings lead of 233. Incredibly, there was still time for Pope to take two more wickets as Yorkshire subsided to 15 for three by the close, before rain washed out most of the remainder of the game and Yorkshire escaped with an ill-deserved draw. So how did Edwin feel on his first day in first-class cricket? I was nervous. There was no doubting the thrill of being in the same dressing room as people I had read about and trained with, but to change alongside them was something I hadn’t really thought about at that point. Perhaps I was included as the local lad, to put a few on the attendance, but to walk out as one of the team ... it was a wonderful feeling that has never left me. He had to wait to do that, however, as Derbyshire batted well on the first day, one that ended with them on 334 for eight. Rhodes top-scored with 55 and Edwin took his pads off at the end of the day without stepping on to the pitch at number eleven. George Dawkes and Les Jackson shared an unbroken ninth wicket stand of 28, which they extended the next morning before Edwin got in for a brief opportunity. It ended with him unbeaten on nought when the last wicket fell with the total on 356. When Hampshire batted, there were the near-traditional two early wickets for Les Jackson, but Neville Rogers anchored the innings with an excellent 151 and Hampshire passed 200 with only three wickets down. Rhodes made little impact with his leg spin and Edwin came on to bowl as second- change. I knew I could bowl, but the nerves were there. Everyone was really helpful, though. Les told me to take my time and Cliff urged me to make sure that I had my field set just as I wanted it. Guy Willatt was skipper and he was patient and supportive, just what I needed really. Gladwin worked through the Hampshire innings in a marathon spell that saw him eventually bowl 57 overs and take six for 108, but it wasn’t until eight wickets were down that Edwin got his first wicket in first-class cricket. I had to wait until the third day. Hampshire batted well down the order and Vic Cannings had helped their wicket-keeper, Leo Harrison, to add 64 for the ninth wicket. Vic eventually went for a big hit off my bowling and the ball sailed down to deep square-leg, where John Kelly held him comfortably. They were 428 for nine at that point, but I had a wicket and that was all that mattered! The game ended in a draw, the wicket simply too good for a result to be forced. Edwin finished with 19-3-67-1. Nothing to get excited about, perhaps, but he had let no one down. Another personal triumph for Grassmoor (seven for 18 against Dronfield Prestwick) followed, and a succession of second team engagements, The young cricketer