Off Topic 2020 Deadpool

Taffvalerowdy said:
Peter Walker RIP <rose>
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Becoming a close catcher"

"In 1957 I got into the county side in the middle of June. In my second match we played Warwickshire at Cardiff Arms Park and, much to Wilf's annoyance, were bowled out for 176 on a good pitch. It was a blazing hot day and, by late afternoon, we were fielding with the game slipping away fast.

The Arms Park was a massive ground, no 75-yard boundaries in those days. I was running between overs from third man to third man, a journey of some 200 yards each way. My diagonal cross-field route took me past our profusely sweating, less-than-pleased- with-life captain who, after an opening spell, was about to put on off-spinner, Jim McConnon.

As I crossed the pitch and eager to please, I asked, "Where would you like me to field skip?"

Wilf turned a baleful eye on me and said, in a phrase which was to change my cricketing life, "Oh, for Christ's sake, Peter, spit in the air and go where it lands."

He immediately lost interest in my whereabouts and set about placing the remainder of McConnon's field.

One rarely argued with Wilfred Wooller, most certainly not on the field. So, as a junior player, I did as I was told, moved to the edge of the pitch, lifted my head and spat in the air. It fell at short square leg. I went there and second ball from McConnon the Warwickshire batsman Norman Horner pushed forward, got an inside edge, I dived to my left and caught it at full stretch two inches above the ground.

I was to spend the majority of the next 16 years in that position! "
 
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glamexile said:
Had many great memories of watching Peter Walker at St Helens when I was a young boy. He was a great close to the wicket fielder RIP
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Yes - saw him at St Helens many times. The County also played Oxford Uni at BP Llandarcy - took afternoon off from the Grammar School to watch it - Pancho (my Form Master) was none too pleased <laugh>
 
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