I never thought that John Whitehouse was quite good enough to play for England, though worse players have done so.
I never thought that John Whitehouse was quite good enough to play for England, though worse players have done so.
JW had a spectacular debut, scoring a big hundred against one of the Universities. I recall it being said that the umpire that day (Bill Alley?) was moved to remind him that he was allowed to score in singles and not just boundaries.
Good county player who did a lot for Warwickshire but, I agree, not really England class.
Looking it up the India tour was 76/77 so that was when he was expected to be selected.
Although it looks like he had an even better season with the bat in 77 with six centuries and an average of 42.
I always use him as an example of a classic player who was nearly lost because he was outside Birmingham.
Many players with less ability from Surrey, Middlesex and Essex had many chances with England.
Hello all
Hope people don't mind me borrowing this thread but I've done an analysis of the financial position of 17 of the first class counties. Warwickshire continue to climb my table and the full report is
https://sideonviewcricket.substack.com/p/bentley-forbes-rankings
That's fine but next time at least ask for permission but I will let it go this time. At least it's nice to get some of that debt out of the way if we can and it does appear as though we will make plenty from the upcoming Test v India in the coming few months. It is sold out for the first 4 days but alas, I will not be one of them having left it too late to purchase a ticket/tickets. Having said that I think unless I bought an expensive ticket, I would most likely be amongst Indian supporters which is fine unless England are struggling and it can feel like an away game. I am not too fussed and think England will win the series anyway. I appear to have drifted off the subject but as long as the club are making money and again, the T20 will bring in plenty if the weather behaves.
The_Lickey_Banker wrote:
BristolBear wrote:
The private school thing is crucial. Because league cricket doesn’t produce players the same way anymore.
If you look at the likes of Yorkshire, Lancashire, Surrey, Sussex, Middlesex, Somerset even Kent. They use partnerships with schools. Sedbergh, Whitgift, Tonbridge, Cranleigh, Manchester Grammar, Merchant Taylor’s, Eastbourne, Millfield, King’s Taunton, all have strong links to the counties. They get year round coaching with top coaches, with top facilities, playing other schools with strong teams. Those counties go out of their way to get the best young players into those schools on scholarships.
It’s a shame the sport has come to this because the ECB and government destroyed cricket in the state system. But the club should have adapted like so many others.Completely agree. The obvious tie up for us is Rugby School. But there's also Warwick & Solihull (and Princethorpe to a lesser degree). Can't believe we've not done that before now.
The interview with Powell, only strengthens the case to formally link up with Rugby School (and with other Independent schools in the County - and Staffordshire, our connected Minor County) to bring on the next generation of Bears.
"You can take the boy out of Atherstone, but you can never take Atherstone out of the boy !"
"The Bears and the (footballing) Foxes for ever !"
Bald_Reynard wrote:
The_Lickey_Banker wrote:
BristolBear wrote:
The private school thing is crucial. Because league cricket doesn’t produce players the same way anymore.
If you look at the likes of Yorkshire, Lancashire, Surrey, Sussex, Middlesex, Somerset even Kent. They use partnerships with schools. Sedbergh, Whitgift, Tonbridge, Cranleigh, Manchester Grammar, Merchant Taylor’s, Eastbourne, Millfield, King’s Taunton, all have strong links to the counties. They get year round coaching with top coaches, with top facilities, playing other schools with strong teams. Those counties go out of their way to get the best young players into those schools on scholarships.
It’s a shame the sport has come to this because the ECB and government destroyed cricket in the state system. But the club should have adapted like so many others.Completely agree. The obvious tie up for us is Rugby School. But there's also Warwick & Solihull (and Princethorpe to a lesser degree). Can't believe we've not done that before now.
The interview with Powell, only strengthens the case to formally link up with Rugby School (and with other Independent schools in the County - and Staffordshire, our connected Minor County) to bring on the next generation of Bears.
Good shout, BR. Yes, Rugby, Warwick, Solihull etc could all forge partnerships with the Bears. And there are 3 schools in Staffordshire, with a great cricketing pedigree - all ranked in the top 100 schools in Cricketer magazine. Newcastle-u-Lyme, Denstone College (who regularly host Staffs County games) and Queen Mary's, Walsall. Denstone produced Alex Thomson, but unfortunately, most of their better players have been 'poached' by (neighbouring) Derbyshire.
'The only good banker, is the Lickey Banker!'