New book marks Sunderland and Hetton’s value to Durham cricket
The Sunderland and Hetton area has been named as the most prolific breeding ground for Durham cricketers in a book published this week.
‘The Best of Durham’ is written by Tim Wellock, who coveredthefirst26yearsofthe county'sfirst-classlifeforlocal and national media.
In it, he names the following team of Wearsiders as one which could have done the county proud: Michael Roseberry, Gary Scott, Scott Borthwick, Sean Birbeck, Phil Mustard, Ryan Pringle, Paul Coughlin, Graeme Bridge, Ben Raine, Chris Rushworth, Matthew Potts.
All have played first-class for Durham, but plenty of othersarenamedwhoforgedgood careers elsewhere.
The book states: “Hetton's production line dates back to the tragic tale of Maurice Nichol. A batsman good enough to score 2,154 runs for Worcestershire in 1933, he wasknowntohaveanenlarged heart and was found dead in bed the following year on the second day of a match against Essex at Chelmsford.
"He had played for Durham prior to making a century against the West Indians on his first-class debut in 1928. He was 12th man for England against New Zealand in 1931.
“The Hetton Lyons club dates back to 1865, taking its name from the Lyon family, ancestors of the Queen Mother, Elizabeth Bowes Lyon. The ground was part of the Bowes
Lyon Estates until the club bought it in 1960.
"Pioneers of youth cricket in the county, their ambition resulted in six successive Durham Coast League titles. They applied to join the Durham Senior League and were eventually accepted after spending £160,000 on ground improvements. The progress continued until they became a leading North East Premier
League club.
“There was a club at Hendon, where the town's soccer team originally played. It was thebirthplaceofEnglandfootballerRaichCarter,whoplayed cricket for Hendon before his movetoDerbyCountyalsogave him the chance to play firstclass for Derbyshire.
"A big-hitter and left-arm spinner,hewasintheDurham team against the 1933 West Indians
and 1934 Australians.
“Carter was one of many who excelled at both games. AmongotherSunderlandfootballers,LenShackletonplayed cricket for Wearmouth, Charlie Buchan for Boldon and Willie Watson for Yorkshire and England.
"Malcolm Scott, a left-arm spinner from South Shields, played football for Newcastle United and spent 11 seasons
with Northants.
“Bob Carter, from Horden, took 521 first-class wickets for Worcestershire in the 1960s and another seamer, John Glassford, from Sunderland, playedtwiceforWarwickshire in 1969 in between several appearances for Durham.”
The author was also Durham's Wisden correspondent for 27 years and is looking for a good home for his copies of the almanac from 1993-2019.
Anyoneinterestedineither ‘The Best of Durham’, priced £10, or the Wisden collection, should email timwellock@aol. com. He will be signing copies at Durham's home match againstEssexonThursday,the firstdaywhenfansareallowed back into the ground.
The book will also be available in the club shop at the Riverside.