The Twelfth Man 2020

BETWEEN TWELFTH MEN A round-up of events in the cricket world since the 2019 Magazine Yorkshire CCC announced in February that David Willey would take over the cap- taincy of the T20 side whilst Steven Patterson will con- tinue to lead the Champion- ship and 50-over squads. In February Adam Lyth signed a contract extension that keeps him at Yorkshire until the end of 2022, whilst Adil Rashid signed a white ball contract for the White Rose for the 2020 season. At the Yorkshire CCC An- nual General Meeting, held in front of 22 people but watched by many more on a live feed from Head- ingley, Chairman Robin Smith stepped down from the board after some 20 years in various capacities. Mike Cowan, WCLS Patron, and Janet Bairstow, moth- er of Jonny, were elected as Vice-Presidents of the Club. Subsequently, Roger Hutton, a distant relative of Sir Leonard, who was elected to the Board only at the AGM was appointed as Chairman and Neil Hartley, former player became Vice- Chair. On 27 April Yorkshire an- nounced that it had can- celled the contracts of its three overseas players for 2020, Ravichandran Ash- win, Keshav Maharaj and Nicholas Pooran, by mutual consent as a direct conse- quence of the postponed start to the cricket season. The ECB has decided that counties will be able to field two overseas players in the Championship and One-Day Cup from the 2021 season. It follows an earlier deci- sion to end Kolpak regis- trations in the wake of the UK’s exit from the European Union. On 17 June itwas announced that Tim Bresnan, who first debuted for the county in 2003, would leave Yorkshire with immediate effect. His current contract was due to finish at the end of the season. Two weeks later, Bresnan joined Warwick- shire on loan for the rest of 2020 and under a two-year contract thereafter. In July, Ian Bell signed a new contract to continue playing for Warwickshire in 2021, his 23rd season as a senior at the club. Tim Ambrose, the Warwickshire and former England wick- etkeeper is to retire at the end of the 2020 season. Review John Fuller (L) with Brian Sanderson The summer of 2019 was almost the perfect time for John Fuller to release his second book, Last of the Summer Wickets - Tales from Scarborough Cricket Festival . As Emerald Headingley was awash with international cricket, at domestic level this was the summer of out-grounds. While North Marine Road hosted its usual two County Championship matches, York’s Clifton Park superbly hosted its maiden first- class fixture and the city’s first since 1890. Places such as the Isle of Wight and Sedbergh also saw Hampshire and Lancashire host games. Not only this, but as Fuller signed copies of his excellent book, which delves deeper into Scarborough life than just bat and ball, Yorkshire were securing pulsating wins over Surrey and Nottinghamshire in front of his eyes. The editor of the website cricketyorkshire.com centres his book around the 2018 Festival fixture against Worcestershire and spoke to all manner of folk intrinsically linked to one of county cricket’s great venues, some you will know, many you won’t. Darren Lehmann speaks about one of the greatest innings seen at North Ma- rine Road, his 191 in a Sunday League match against Nottinghamshire in 2001, just days after the Championship title was sealed against Glamorgan at the same venue. After their celebra- tions, it is fair to say Yorkshire’s squad were not quite in peak condition, and the Australian legend described how he went out to bat with a free mind and ‘got lucky’. The book is a light read, the sort you could pick up and put down as you sit on the Popular Bank listening to roars of delight as home boundaries are cover-driven or groans as opposition bowlers snare wickets. We went straight into the Q&A, starting with lots of questions about his reasons for the book and his research stories, the future of the festival, his favourite interviews, and the biggest challenges he faced. Other subjects raised were out-grounds, local league grounds including his favourites. Once again we went well into overtime to complete a fascinating evening. JOHN FULLER 5 March 2020