Sheffield Cricket Lovers' Society Year Book 2023

19 one of the finest opening pairs of bowlers in world cricket with 600 test wickets between them, and not far behind Anderson and Broad in terms of experience. I think that every cricket lover this summer couldn’t have failed to admire their resistance for England were fortunate in that Joe Root, Jonny Bairstow and Ollie Pope were in the batting form of their lives. I end with memories of the 50 over World Cup final in 2019, a game that will be remembered forever by our generation, when by the narrowest of margins we beat NZ in the final. It is fair to say that no team deserved to lose but NZ, as is their wont, took their defeat on the chin, thereby adding to the sporting reputation they have built over the years. In this context It is worth noting that, in their summary of the 1949 tour to which reference is made at the beginning of this article, Wisden stated “Furthermore by every action on and off the field the 15 players enhanced the already firmly established reputation for sportsmanship which belongs especially to NZ cricketers. On not one occasion did anything occur to cause even the slightest spirit of irritation to be shown by a New Zealander or an opponent.” On a final and totally different note, as we entered Lord’s on the Saturday of the 1994 Test, we were met by a host of pretty girls handing out a Braeburn apple, a variety native to NZ, to each spectator. This was a superb marketing exercise for to this day they are our favourite apple and no doubt the same applies to many others who tasted them then for the first time. New Zealanders have a proven way of leaving one with a memorable and satisfying taste in one’s mouth! Stephen Fleming