The Twelfth Man 2020

Norman Hazell tried to retire in 2005 but is still going strong 16 17 King, Desmond Haynes, Franklyn Stephenson, Sylvester Clarke and many other West Indian Test players. Even Brian Lara offered to play when he was just a young man starting out. With names like these Calder Grove were welcome all over, playing friendlies against top teams. I think I could write a book on my experiences, as could most members, in a career spanning 1948 to 1987 when, standing as a candidate in the General Election, it forced me to hang up my boots. Failing by 2,000 votes to get down to Westminster I was persuaded to do a bit of umpiring and so it developed. This season would’ve been my 34th wearing a white coat, not counting the many weeks in the Yarra Valley Country League whilst visiting Sarah who went to Melbourne for ‘just six months’ 24 years ago. Australians love a Pommie umpire. Which teams have you supported most during your time in the game? I’ve always been so proud to support Yorkshire, especially when all players had to be born in the county. Then it was a proper cricket club run by Secretary John Nash from a small office in Leeds. Now it’s a big business with players from anywhere, even for a few weeks’ stay. It’s not the same. But I also had another favourite in Somerset, when I loved to read about ‘Uncle’ Horace . When I congratulated him on his 13 consecutive maidens, he told me, laughing, that once as a number 11 batsman he “hit your Hedley Verity for 26 off a single over.” Who is your favourite player and why? Such a difficult question. I have many friends in all levels of the game. I once spent a wonderful day with Sir Geoffrey at the MCG. But really, I would have to choose dear Ted Lester, a sound batsman and long-time scorer for Yorkshire. In his later years I would see him leaving the Scarborough ground at tea-time. I got a pass-out and walked along with him on his homeward journey and so he became first choice for my Twelfth Man series of talks with old players. I sent him my draft, then two copies of the magazine only to find myself on his Christmas card list. Sadly, I attended his funeral at Scarborough five years ago and dear Robin Smith gave me a lift back, as I’d gone on the train. Which is your favourite ground and why? My favourite ground has to be North Marine Road, where Dad took me during our holiday fortnight in the thirties. But I have happy memories of Bridgetown. Sat with my brothers in a $3 stand we were the only white faces and later, when invited into the pavilion, I met Mick Jagger and got him to write a postcard to one of my daughters at Newcastle University. I also spoke to D.C.S. Compton, who said, ”When your Len Hutton and I played, we often lost but were always trying!” A significant remark, indeed. What is your present-day involvement with cricket? I’m now the oldest umpire in the League, but as I always tell ‘em: “There’s nowt wrong with my brain or eyes, but these 88 year-old legs get tired.” What do you think of the present-day game? Of limited overs? Of T20? Of the Hundred? I’m absolutely not interested in ‘The Hundred’ and definitely can’t be bothered travelling to watch gimmicky one-day matches, although I’ve played in a few in my time! I’m now the oldest umpire in League, but as I always tell ‘em: “There’s nowt wrong with my brain or eyes, but these 88 year-old legs get tired.”