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

88 season in county cricket promises a fine future. A genuine discovery he has quickly proved popular with players and spectators alike and with 968 runs and 66 wickets this season he promises big things next year.” His slip fielding was also praised. 1947: A poetic tribute to Bill Andrews by Miles Coope and John Lawrence The sacking of Bill Andrews by Somerset in 1947 was an example of the misguided elitism where amateurs who ruled the game undervalued the worth and experience of the hardened professional which is well satirised in the verse which Johnny and Miles Coope penned. Lawrence and Coope empathise with Bill Andrews after this larger than life figure was finally finished as a player by Somerset after a poor season in 1947. When Andrews did play he didn’t build up any form that season but this was not surprising as he was to spend a large part of the season as 12th man. Andrews played alongside Miles Coope for the South against the North in a rare event, the Harrogate Cricket Festival, at the end of that season – and – with Johnny playing for the North! – Bill’s two friends handed him “this treasured little tribute” which I’ve taken from Bill Andrews’ s autobiography: Alas thy deeds with bat and ball For Somerset are done You’ve taken your last wicket Bill And smitten your last run The powers-that-be say if you’re good And to their plans agree You’ll get your testimonial In Nineteen Sixty-Three So whilst you’re up at Harrogate Amongst the googly men Get tapped upon your gammy leg And go ont’ while then A first class career with Somerset