Sheffield Cricket Lovers' Society Year Book 2017

7 Sheffield Cricket Lovers’ Society teenager he recalled joining Winstanley Park a side based in Billinge, Wigan. During his first season he was spotted by the Lancashire Youth coach and persuaded to move up the next season to play for Sefton Park in the Liverpool Competition. He quickly was picked up by Lancashire and captained both their Under 17 and Under 19 teams. He made his maiden First Class appearance in 2005 for Lancashire but did not earn a regular place in the side. Paul returned to Australia in the winter of 2006/2007 playing grade cricket to try to improve his batting. He finally returned to Lancashire and secured a place in the first team hitting a maiden century of 139 for Lancs against Worcester and he was delighted to recall scoring 149 in his first game against Yorkshire. At the end of the 2010 season Paul went to play for the Zimbabwean Club, Matabeleland Tuskers. He told some very interesting stories of his adventures there, including the saga of him losing his passport, not the best situation to find himself in but he quite clearly demonstrated his sense of humour. A fascinating evening with a very erudite man who clearly loves the game. He told us he was sad to be leaving Lancashire but cherished the opportunity for a new challenge with Leicestershire. We all wished him well for the future. Wednesday 11th November 2015 A warm welcome was extended to former Yorkshire player STEVE RHODES . Steve left Yorkshire to join Worcestershire in 1985 having had little chance to depose David Bairstow as first choice wicketkeeper. His move to Worcester saw him earn a regular place in the side and he went on to eventually receive a Test Match call up to play against New Zealand at Trent Bridge. He eventually played11 Tests and 9 ODI’s for England. He went on to play for Worcestershire for two decades before being appointed Director of Cricket, a role which he still holds today. Steve entertained us with anecdotes of his early years being coached by his father, Billy, who was a former wicketkeeper for Nottingamshire.He compared his early days with the differing coaching techniques which exist in the modern game. He told us how he went about fulfilling his current role and gave us a most entertaining evening. His forthright answers to some of the questions put to him demonstrated his passion for the game and the pleasure he now gets helping to develop younger players. Monday 16th November 2015 Our Autumn Dinner at the Omega saw us welcome the MCC President, Roger Knight OBE who was accompanied by former Kent Player, David Fulton. The MCC President updated us on the development of Lords’ Cricket Ground and gave a very interesting insight of the daily life at the MCC. Roger has of course had an extensive admin career in cricket including six years as Secretary of the MCC. A remarkable involvement from University Cricket for Cambridge in 1967 through to his current role as President. We were then entertained by former Kent player and Captain David Fulton. David is now a cricket journalist working for both the Times and Sky Sports. His enthusiastic anecdotes ranged from his early playing days for University of Kent to Captain of Kent and he particularly relished reminding us all that he scored a double century against Yorkshire. Our evening rounded off with comedian Mike Farrell making a welcome return to our Autumn Dinner. A first class evening thanks again to the hard work of secretary, David Drabble and the fine meal provided by Baldwins Omega. www.sheffieldcricketlovers.org.uk Continued on page 16