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

62 Lawrence’s playing art and his love of being competitive especially when it is bowled well. But administrators saw it at times as a frivolous luxury and even that great spin bowler after the war Johnny Wardle was not allowed to bowl his left-handed equivalent when playing for Yorkshire, but had always to bowl his more orthodox style. In the days of uncovered wickets in a rain-soaked climate, the art of orthodox spin could be devastating and Yorkshire has had a great history in that department especially managing to always find someone left-handed to provide a balanced attack. And the greatest Yorkshire orthodox spin bowlers have nearly all just happened to be left-handed and who would thus all take advantage by spinning the ball away from the right-hand bat. Ted Peate, Bobby Peel, Wilfred Rhodes and Hedley Verity provide a succession of world class players who provide a continuity from 1879 till the outbreak of the Second World War in 1939 (with Johnny Wardle and Don Wilson yet to come). So – even if there were no prejudice against the wrist spinner this has meant that there had never been a special vacancy in Yorkshire for a right hander who could bowl the leg break, and in any case leg spin is an altogether different art (involving more wrist work) and is better suited on average to the harder, bouncier and less wet wickets of warmer, drier climes where the orthodox spin bowler finds it more difficult to be penetrative. Art and creativity are intimately connected to a rare combination of hard work, technique and the desire for pleasure and relaxation. Johnny always seemed to play with a smile on his face – though often a wry one – and he would often ‘chuckle’ whilst bowling, such was the fun of his battles with his opponents. He totally lacked malice and his way of life both on and off the field became a role model for younger players such as Roy Smith at Somerset who saw it thus. Nonetheless Johnny loved the competition at all levels and he always rose to a challenge. He would love to play against his native county, Yorkshire and do well. There was no bitterness or rancour.