Lives in Cricket No 52 - Schooled in Cricket (2nd edition)

121 distinguished league career which would see him pitted against international stars and small fry alike. He liked to open the bowling despite being a slow spinner. He would often – at different clubs – open with a quick bowler at the other end. He used to persuade captains and clubs he played for to ‘save a few bob’ and dispense with a new ball as an old ball would spin more. I’m sure he would encourage his quick partners to bowl with skill and swing with those old balls. In general, the clubs would save money and certainly compete just as well or better. Baildon 1957 Baildon now in the second division of the Bradford League in 1957 were the lucky beneficiaries of Haslingden’s decision. They had the enthusiastic amateur captain Ronnie Burnet and with the professionalism of Johnny Lawrence they would prove a forceful outfit. Johnny would help them win their division and thus promotion. Burnet was apparently a popular captain but he showed at Baildon as he showed later at Yorkshire that he could be a martinet ridding the club of three players early in the new season who he felt would no longer be required as the club wanted younger players. Johnny had much success with bat and ball in this season. Ronnie Burnet despite his relatively modest playing skills would become captain of Yorkshire the following season and help them win the County Championship the season after. Johnny would also move on – or rather perhaps come home – to play for home town Leeds in the Yorkshire League. Leeds 1958-1963 Leeds were not traditionally a strong side in this league compared to say Scarborough or Sheffield United but suddenly they had together a team of all talents. Billy Sutcliffe – son of the great Herbert – was a class batsman in his own right who had scored six centuries for Yorkshire including a 180 before he had been thrust into A star again in league cricket