The Twelfth Man 2020

I am delighted to once again offer my good wishes to all members of our great Society. The Wombwell has built up a fine reputation amongst cricket lovers all over the world. I remember read- ing of the way in which a complete bound collection of our Twelfth Man magazine holds a treasured place in the library of MCC - that is the Melbourne Cricket Club at the MCG, one of the best cricket grounds in the world seating about 100,000 people, as I have witnessed when umpiring at the annual Boxing Day Test matches. Many of our mem- bers, like me, have witnessed great changes in the way in which the game is played. For what seemed ages as I grew up, two 3-day county matches were played each week up and down the country, often arriving in the early hours, and then on Sunday, supposedly a rest day, we would just be filling in play- ing charity or benefit matches. What a contrast with the way in which first-class cricketers now have so many rest days apart from the elite ones who would be selected for a Test Match. How times have changed since the first introduction of a one-day competition, the Gillette Cup and a one-day League gave those engaged in full-time employment an opportunity to spend time on a Sunday enjoying the game and brought extra pay for professionals who had struggled in the early days. During the past decades we have seen 60, 50, 40, and 20-over matches spreading all over the world, making mil- lionaires of some lucky young men, al- though sadly depriving their home Coun- ties who rarely see them play. Now, perhaps the most dramatic change of all - at least so far - is The Hundred. I suspect many Wombwell members view this latest form of cricket with scepticism, but the ‘experts’ see it as attracting inter- est from different spectators - so we must wait and see. Anyway back to our wonderful Society. I am deeply conscious of the honour be- stowed on me by continuing as President. A MESSAGE FROM OUR PRESIDENT, DICKIE BIRD Editorial We live in strange times and this year’s Twelfth Man must reflect those times. Throughout its pages there are many ex- amples of where normality has been sus- pended, no more so than the opening fea- ture on The summer that wasn’t . But, despite all the uncertainties and obsta- cles, we actually have a magazine to bring you. Modern technology has allowed the production to be undertaken remotely and I must thank all involved, including our designers and printers. I also thank everyone who took the trou- ble to provide feedback on the consider- able changes made to the magazine last year. It was overwhelmingly positive and has allowed me to approach this year’s edition with confidence. Feedback also came through last year’s membership sur- vey. In retaining the structure of distinct sections, it was clear that readers wanted more Feature articles and rather less of Book reviews . This has been a rather poor year for new books so, in fact, there aren’t any. But a few new releases are now starting to come through so reviews will return next year, perhaps in a reduced form. In these troubled times it is wonderful that we are able to reflect on a glorious year for cricket in 2019. So this year’s main theme in Features is The miracle of Headingley…again , taking our cue from the astonishing finish to the third Ashes Test and looking back to similar stirring events at Leeds in 1981. Several writ- ers - Mick Pope, Paul Dyson and Dave Whittingham - join me in looking at these memorable events. Extra features look at the achievement of local club, HoughtonMain in reaching the National Village Final at Lord’s with a piece specially written by their vice-captain, Michael Bates . We look forward to the planned visit of Yorkshire’s beneficiary, Adam Lyth to our Christmas lunch with a special piece. We look at Yorkshire’s first visit to York since 1873 in The joy of out- ground cricket . There’s a fascinating ar- ticle by Geoff Wellsteed on A matchstick bust . And we continue what is intend- ed to be a regular series of My love of cricket… with stalwart members, Audrey Woodhouse and Norman Hazell. From the Editor: Dickie Bird President ‘ Dickie’ Bird at last year’s WCLS Awards Night