MARTIN McCague spent eight seasons as a Kent team-mate of Alan Igglesden, who died last November aged 57 after a brain tumour. The special bond that the opening bowlers enjoyed in county cricket meant that it was an easy decision for 53-year-old McCague to head north to play in a special match at Bingley Congs […]
Woodlands’ Tom Clee talks teeing off and titles
Bill Marshall talks to Tom Clee, of Woodlands Cricket Club in the Bradford Premier League, about switching clubs, the Woodlands way and how his game has progressed this season. Tom Clee is used to making big decisions. For example, when the Woodlands all-rounder was an under-12 he chose to move from Northowram Fields (literally over […]
Should First XIs be allowed to play Second XIs in club cricket?
Bill Marshall explores the conundrum of first XIs and second XIs Watching Hoylandswaine’s second team win the Solly Sports Crowther Cup in rapid time on Sunday at Sandal, defeating Farsley seconds by seven wickets, reminded me of a long-forgotten conversation I had with Matthew Anderson. He was then captain of East Bierley’s second team, and […]
Like father, like son: When cricket runs in the family
Bill Marshall talks to Gary, Charlie and Adam Wainwright about their experiences playing opposing sides in the Gordon Rigg Bradford Premier League. Local league cricket is dotted with instances of fathers opening the batting with their sons (for example I have done it with my son Daniel for Bingley Congs’ second team). However, try this […]
Craven Cricket League: Time to shake things up?
Bill Marshall talks to Craven League secretary, Peter Foster, about the challenge of losing clubs and the committee’s plans to give the league a new lease of life. Just how does a grassroots cricket league stop the haemorrhaging of clubs from within their membership? Of course, some leagues react too late to the bleeding, while […]
Bradford Cricket League: Floodlit charity match at Wagon Lane
Bradford Cricket League cricketers, past and present, came together at Wagon Lane to support Dementia UK. A floodlit charity cricket match at Bradford & Bingley Cricket Club has been hailed as a success, and certainly won’t be forgotten in a hurry by the club’s scorer Judith Wragg. She was stung on the neck by a […]
Jer Lane cap incredible season with four trophies
Bill Marshall talks to man-of-the-match, Cosmond Walters, about Jer Lane Cricket Club’s trophy extravagazna in the Bradford Premier League. Champagne was dripping from Cosmond Walters’ goatee beard and, understandably, he was still on a high. He had just scored 101 to win the man-of-the-match trophy in the Jack Hampshire Cup final, edging out Jer Lane […]
Raqeeb Younis: A testing summer for Jer Lane captain
Bill Marshall talks to captain Raqeeb Younis about battling back from Covid and the push for trophies at Jer Lane Cricket Club in the Gordon Rigg Bradford Premier League. Raqeeb Younis is just grateful to be walking this earth, let alone playing cricket. The Jer Lane captain may have been thinking cricket, cricket, cricket at […]
Jack Dyson: Meet New Farnley’s teen spin prospect
Bill Marshall talks to New Farnley’s 17-year-old off-spinner Jack Dyson about his remarkable start to life in the Bradford Premier League. Few players can have made the transition from Premier League second-team cricket to the first XI look so easy as teenager Jack Dyson. The 17-year-old New Farnley off-spinner has also created something of a […]
Bradford Premier League Interview: Woodlands’ Brad Schmulian
Bill Marshall talks to Woodlands Cricket Club’s overseas signing, Brad Schmulian, about the Bradford Premier League and his first-class career for Central Stags in New Zealand. Bradford Premier League cricketer Brad Schmulian’s career has been a series of peaks and troughs. The 30-year-old, who is the overseas player for Woodlands, had a meteoric first-class debut […]