'Home-grown talent before overseas for Yorkshire'

2:10pm Friday 10th October 2008

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Former Yorkshire Crick-et School manager Ralph Middlebrook has called on York-shire to rely on young, home-grown talent.

The Pudsey Congs stalwart, speaking at the Bradford Junior Cricket League’s prize-presentation at Cleck-heaton Sports Club, said: “One or two of you in this room will play for Yorkshire one day, but we don’t want Kolpak players in our game. We want Eng-lish cricketers.

“I am not being racist when I say that – we want people who are qualified to play for England.”

Nothing probably gave Middle-brook – father of Essex all-rounder James – more pleasure this summer than when Yorkshire saved their crucial County Championship match against Sussex at Hove last month.

In what was a relegation battle, Yorkshire recovered from 80 for six to post a remarkable 400 for nine declared, and two young Yorkshire-men saved them from relegation – Adil Rashid (111) and David Wain-wright (104 not out).

Middlebrook added: “Rashid should be going with England on their tour to India.”

Cricket is a fast-changing game but renowned coach Middlebrook said that it was absolutely vital to respect the traditions of the sport.

He also emphasised the importance of trying your best in every match for your club.

Middlebrook’s main fear at the moment is the massive growth of Twenty20 cricket.

He said: “We have been playing Twenty20 cricket for years at club level but I hope it doesn’t take over the first-class game.

“Play Twenty20 but don’t try what you see on TV. A lot of it seems like slog time but it can be allied to technique, like Kevin Pietersen.

“And remember that they are full-time players and practice hard every day, and don’t just play or practice two or three times a week.

“Also don’t forget the importance of rotating the strike. It is just as valuable to get a single every ball as try and hit every ball for six.”

Middlebrook also talked of the importance of playing the game with a smile on your face, as Darren Gough has done all his career.

Cleckheaton’s Fahid Rehman, who captained Bradford’s winning Joe Lumb Competition side, won the main award of the night – the Greg Duggan Memorial Trophy.

It was also a personal triumph for team managers Paul Wiseman and Dave Pearce.

Bradford Junior League Trophy winners – Individual awards, Under-17s, Arthur Lister Trophy (batting), Nick Lindley (Cleckheaton). Eddie Whitaker Trophy (bowling), Govinder Bargota (Saltaire). Fred Coote Trophy (wicket-keeping), Mathew Dibb (Pudsey St Lawrence). Hopkinson Trophy (fielding), Zain Butt (Wibsey Park Chapel). Kathleen Hodgkinson-Cope Trophy (all-rounder), Steven Dunn (Bradford & Bingley). Under-15s, Joan Peel Trophy (batting), Asghar Razak (Bowling Old Lane). Joan Peel Trophy (bowling), Ammas Hussain (Wibsey Park Chapel). Ronnie Harrison Trophy (wicket-keeping), John Anderson (Buttershaw St Paul’s). Doris Hopkinson Trophy (fielding), Usman Arshad (Great Horton Church).