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Post by Leeds Ox on Feb 25, 2011 3:55:24 GMT
My glorious fellow Oxen, Just back from Brian Close's 80th birthday dinner and I feel massively privileged. For those of you with no idea who he is, just watch this (don't worry, the sound kicks-in after about 20 seconds): www.youtube.com/watch?v=w-f5pfBgpNEHe is still the youngest person ever to play Test cricket for England and went on to captain both his county and his country. Incredibly, at the age of 45, he was recalled and opened the batting against a truly terrifying West Indian pace attack. The man bowling to him was nicknamed 'Whispering Death'. For those of you that don't play cricket, let me assure you that a ball hitting you at that speed is astonishingly painful. He played up-front for both Leeds Utd and Bradford City and was once released by Arsenal for turning up at half-time for a reserve team cup final......he was late getting away from Lord's where he'd been playing cricket for Yorkshire! The man's an utter legend and remains as tough as old boots. From everyone at YCCC and sports fans the world over, WE LOVE YOU CLOSEY!!
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Post by baldy on Feb 26, 2011 11:43:56 GMT
That was a real blast from the past. I remember watching a lot of that series as a twelve year old. That West Indian side must have whetted so many peoples appetite for cricket - they were awesome.
To see Brian Close bat unprotected against possibly the most fearsome bowler the game has ever seen is remarkable footage. Bear in mind too, that summer was baking hot and the wicket would have been like a slab of concrete. The way he dodges some of that bowling is top class batting without actually hitting the ball !
He was 45 too and everything starts to go a bit in your mid forties - trust me ! - not least the sharpness of your eyesight but the way he coped with that barrage was admirable.
How refreshing to see someone getting it in the ribs, the bollocks, on the elbow, the thigh but just a quick rub and back in position to face the next ball without so much as a delay in play.
No doubt about it - they do not make batsmen like Close anymore.
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Post by Paul Cannell on Feb 26, 2011 12:36:06 GMT
Good luck to the man.
I remember watching that tremendously courageous innings on TV (the commentator says he's faced Holding for 45 minutes) - you could see how much each ball that hit him hurt but his will kept him there.
Agree with you, baldy, that West Indies team inspired me to play cricket. The word awesome is overused, but it's exactly what they were.
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