James Smurthwaite

James Smurthwaite (17 October 1916 – 20 October 1989) was an English first-class cricketer, who played seven matches for Yorkshire County Cricket Club in 1938 and 1939.[1]

Born in North Ormesby, Middlesbrough, Yorkshire, England, Smurthwaite was a fast-medium swing bowler, who could also bowl medium-pace off-breaks. He was a successful bowler for Guisborough in the North Yorkshire and South Durham League before appearing for Yorkshire.[2] In his first first-class match, in 1938, Yorkshire declared and won by an innings, and Smurthwaite neither batted nor bowled; it was his only County Championship match of the season.[2]

He is most noted for a spell against Derbyshire at Bramall Lane in June 1939, when he and Frank Smailes routed Derbyshire for 20 on a rain-affected pitch. Smurthwaite took five wickets for seven runs, in only four eight-ball overs.[3] This was not the start of a famous career, however, and he was omitted from the team for the next match to make way for Yorkshire's returning Test players.[2] He went back to the Yorkshire Second XI in the Minor Counties Cricket Championship, for whom he took 36 wickets at 12.94 that year.

His hopes of further first-class cricket were dashed by the onset of World War II and the loss of the tip of a finger on his bowling hand.[2] He played as a professional in the North Yorkshire and South Durham League for many years after the war.

In all first-class games, Smurthwaite scored 29 runs, with a best of 20 not out against Worcestershire, and took 12 wickets at 19.75.[1]

He worked as an engineer with ICI, and lived with his wife Lynn in their home in Hutton Lane, Guisborough.[2] He died in October 1989 in North Ormesby.

References
  1. Warner, David (2011). The Yorkshire County Cricket Club: 2011 Yearbook (113th ed.). Ilkley, Yorkshire: Great Northern Books. p. 378. ISBN 978-1-905080-85-4.
  2. Baker, R. "Unlucky Jim". The Cricket Statistician (69): 22–26. Retrieved 22 March 2018.
  3. "Yorkshire v Derbyshire 1939". Cricinfo. Retrieved 22 March 2018.


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