Burns' Eye View

Last weekend, Craig and Jamie Overton made their first appearance together in the Somerset 1st XI. It may be the sign of things to come, as both seem to be highly promising and suggest that another set of twins could make their mark on First-Class Cricket.

Stepehn and Mark Waugh are cricket’s most famous twins but Sir Alec Bedser and Eric Bedser were the sport’s first most notable twins. Their identical nature (as opposed to the Waughs being fraternal twins) created so many amusing stories in their lifetime which the pair of them appeared to enjoy perpetuating. The classic one about the barber’s shop in Sydney during England’s Tour of Australia where Alec was Manager is priceless. Apparently Eric went to have his haircut and returned to The Sydney Cricket Ground to approval from Alec which then prompted him to request the name and place of the barber’s shop. When Alec walked in a couple of hours later and requested a ‘trim up’ the barber was astounded and said as much: ‘Strewth mate I’ve only just cut your hair!’. Alec retorted: ‘it’s a bit hot over here and grows very quickly!’

New Zealand has the Marshall twins (Hamish and James) whose identical nature made it difficult for commentators and teammates unless one knew them well and I also played with the Parsons twins (Kevin and Keith) during my Somerset career.

The Overtons hail from North Devon Cricket CLub at Instow. The club is most famous for its beautiful ground and its connection to the Shepherd family. The late David Shepherd was world famous as a Test match umpire and former Gloucestershire batsman in their glory days under Mike Procter. in the 1970′s.

I wonder if the Overtons can play with distinction for Somerset for years to come and add to the list of famopus cricketing twins. The omens would appear good, as both have considerable promise and from all accounts, excellent attitudes.

Somerset Cricket looks like enjoying a bright future if the twins blossom into top-class cricketers. The Waughs and the Bedsers may take some beating but the Parsons’ contribution to Somerset Cricket at all levels has been admirable, but could be suprassed by the newest members of cricket’s family of famous twins.

As I watched Manchester City overhaul a two goal deficit against Queens Park Rangers in stoppage time, to win the FA Premier League this afternoon, I reflected on how sport offers its’ participants experiences of both agony and ecstasy.

As Manchester United completed their victory over Sunderland and waited for confirmation that QPR had beaten Manchester City, they were shocked to learn that Man City had scored an equaliser at ‘The Etihad’. The fact that they were able to summon up another goal, only moments later, to secure victory and relegate Manchester United to runners-up spot. For drama, it competed with Manchester United’s European Cup win versus Bayern Munich in their Treble-winning season.

Such excitement and glorious uncertainty is what makes sport the incredible activity which consumes so many of us.

As the commentators say: ‘‘ You couldn’t make it up! ’’

What else in life can bring so many people together and create such live drama and focus for debate and narrative? I love sport, and feel blessed to have been introduced to its merit from such a young age… Thank you Dad..

England’s Cricket selectors have chosen uncapped Yorkshire batsman/wicket-keeper, Jonathan Bairstow, to play in the 1st Test versus West Indies starting on Thursday (17th May) at Lord’s.

Bairstow is the son of the late David Bairstow, the former Yorkshire and England wicket-keeper/batsman and Janet Bairstow, the cricket secretary at Yorkshire. He is fine young man who is a credit to both his parents. Additionally, he is a superb young cricketer, and a very fine all-round sportsman. I feel privileged to know him and delighted for him. As a cricketer, can there be a greater stage than to play one’s first Test for England at ‘The Home of Cricket’?

The injury problem experienced by Ravi Bopara has opened the door for another player to audition for the number six spot in England’s batting order and become a permanent selection following Paul Collingwood’s retirement, and Eoin Morgan’s inability to nail down a place after a year of opportunity.

Bairstow’s claims for recognition have included a couple of excellent seasons for Yorkshire and an outrageous ODI debut against India at Cardiff last summer when he single-handedly won a match with his clean-striking, after all had appeared lost following the top order’s inability to perform. His early-season form for Yorkshire in 2012 has added to his burgeoning reputation as one of the most exciting talents in world cricket. Two hundreds in a bowler-dominated first month and a superb half-century against West Indies for England Lions on Friday at Northampton have confirmed his potential.

I witnessed his innings this week, and was impressed with the quality of his strokeplay and how wide his bat appears when he plays forward. Graham Gooch’s batting made a similar impression on me during my playing career – his bat seemed as wide as the front door of 10 Downing Street! Additionally, Jonny’s wicket-keeping looks increasingly polished as a consequence of his diligent approach to his all-round game.

Genuine ‘All-Rounder’ status is bestowed upon few in the game, but it is a claim Jonny can make justifiably, and not only as a cricketer. He is a balanced, intelligent young man with a social personality, professional conscientiousness, and near-perfect manners. He is a former Leeds United schoolboy footballer and was an exceptional Rugby player at St Peter’s School in York. I can testify to the quality of his golf as he has featured in several London County Captains Days and impressed the likes of Bernard Gallacher and Simon Holmes with his swing, his temperament, and his natural ball-striking ability.
The likes of James Taylor, Michael Carberry and Nick Compton may feel deeply disappointed to have missed out but in the case of Carberry and Compton, if a spot in the first three was available maybe their case for selection would have been more compelling? For James Taylor, I believe his time will come. He is a gifted young batsman with an appetite for making big runs from a young age. More experience of 1st Division cricket, (and the need for consistent runs at this level), will help to round him as a batsman for the day when his Test career is more likely to commence.
Ravi Bopara may feel cursed, and is desperately unlucky to miss out again through injury after being unavailable for the last Test in Sri Lanka during the winter when a side strain meant Samit Patel got the nod at the last minute. However, time stands still for no man, and if Jonny Bairstow grasps his chance with both hands against the West Indies, he will be a certainty for selection against South Africa and a Test career could unfold beyond this summer for him.

‘Sir’ Geoffrey Boycott will be very proud too. Not only is he Yorkshire’s current President, but he is also a close friend of the Bairstow family ever since his days as a Yorkshire and England team-mate of David ‘Bluey’ Bairstow. His influence behind the scenes as an experienced hand to help guide Jonathan Bairstow from impressionable young schoolboy to ‘hard-nosed’ professional cricketer goes beyond words. ‘Sir’ Geoffrey and Martyn Moxon deserve great credit for the part they have played in overseeing the development of another Yorkshire cricketer to play for England. The old saying about cricket that when Yorkshire is strong, England is strong, seems to be coming true again. Despite their current status as a 2nd Division team after relegation in 2011, they will, in my opinion, be back challenging for the County Championship in their 150th year next season. They have some exceptional young cricketers and some very good men who are deeply committed to the future success of this world-famous sporting club.

I had the pleasure and privilege of sitting with Janet Bairstow through Jonny’s ODI debut in Cardiff. She was, understandably, both nervous and thrilled. She is a quality lady who has experienced some challenging times in her life, but has shown an admirable resilience and wonderful example of how successful a single parent can be in the face of adversity. Rebecca and Jonathan are a great credit to her.
This Thursday, at Lord’s, she will be bursting with pride again…. It is an emotion every parent will wish for her to experience…. Go Jonny go!!