Lives in Cricket No 50 - Tom Emmett

112 Chapter Eight Personality, performance and popularity In his 1900 book ‘Talks with Old English Cricketers’, A.W.Pullin wrote that ‘It is not hyperbole to describe Tom Emmett as the greatest character in nineteenth century cricket. There have been greater cricketers than he, but none so genuinely droll and individualistic.’ Tom Emmett was special, but why? How can a player who bowled so erratically, and frequently failed with the bat, be considered one of the greatest players to ever play for Yorkshire? Why was he such a treasured member of a Yorkshire side which for many years was so mercurial and temperamental? To answer these questions, we need to go beyond the myths and stories, and consider three very different reasons – his personality and approach to life; his performances, particularly as a bowler; and his popularity with cricket lovers. Personality Numerous references to Tom Emmett paint him as an amusing, genial character, an eccentric, someone who did not take things too seriously. Undoubtedly this was the case, but Tom Emmett was a more complex and sensitive personality than that implies. He was a proud man who achieved much and acquired status and fame, not least as the captain of Yorkshire County Cricket Club, the last professional to hold this post until the 1960s. He was a celebrated sportsman, written about in the newspapers in the same breath as the great W.G.Grace, cheered as he appeared on the field of play, greeted in the street, and the toast of cricket followers throughout the country. Some of the most prestigious names in the game consulted him, people no doubt he felt were from a different social class. He was a demonstrative man, who showed his emotions at a time of public restraint, making no effort to hide his enthusiasm for cricket and life. And he was a generous man, appearing in benefits for fellow professionals, conscious that he could add hundreds, if not thousands, to the gate if it was known he was playing. Yet, as with so many jokers, there was a degree of seriousness and sadness about Emmett. There were also many contradictions which shaped his life. For a man who is associated with endless stories and practical jokes, he was surprisingly uncomfortable with speaking in public, and a reluctant umpire because he feared that he would make a fool of himself. For all he was depicted as ‘happy-go-lucky’, in fact he was a very diligent professional, keen to maintain his reputation with potential employers, fulfil his responsibilities as head of a large family, and exploit opportunities available to him. He practised throughout his life and dedicated himself to earning a living, going to Australia and back three times in five years