The Twelfth Man 2019

SEAGULLS, SIXES AND SUNHATS: SAVOURING THE SCARBOROUGH CRICKET FESTIVAL by Jane Doe 04 05 In this article specially written for The Twelfth Man John Fuller , originator of the CricketYorkshire website tells us what led him to write his latest book Last of the Summer Wickets about the Scarborough Cricket Festival and about some of his experiences in doing so T o write a book about the Scarborough Crick- et Festival is to feel the excitement, balanced by a sense of responsibility. There is a universal affection for Scar- borough forged from a lifetime of friendships and memories. It speaks of holidays by the coast, taking the sea air and be- ing part of a cricket experience unlike any other. Whether you recall the County Champion- ship clinched in 2001 or Fred Trueman’s antics at the sound of the Peasholm Park naval battle, everyone can dust off a treasured memory from North Marine Road. I savour the walk from the rail- way station through the town, following a line of white floppy bucket hats weaving their way towards the ground, wearing Yorkshire kits from down the years. To step inside the gates at Scarborough Cricket Club is to feel as if you’ve arrived. This is where you’re meant to be and the prospect of being part of the crowd roaring Yorkshire on is a fine one. In Last of the Summer Wickets , I’ve blended the sights and sounds from a week at the 2018 Scarborough Cricket Festival with original interviews from players, fans and the media. If you want to hear from Darren Lehmann on what Scarbor- ough means to him, Geoffrey Boycott’s first and last games in his own words or Ken Ruther- ford’s recollections of his triple hundred in a day, it’s all there and much more besides. Nonetheless, all the intrigue away from the cricket is no less important. Delighting in dinner at the North Bay Cafe on the corner or talking to the couple that own the Boundary Hotel with its concrete roof overlook- ing the cricket are snapshots that should be recognisable Photo courtesy of Jeremy Lonsdale