James Smurthwaite
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James Smurthwaite was a first class cricketer who played 7 matches for Yorkshire County Cricket Club in 1938 and 1939. A fast medium swing bowler, who could also bowl quickish off breaks, he is famous for a spell against Derbyshire CCC at Bramall Lane in June 1939 when he and Frank Smailes routed Derbyshire for just 20 on a rain affected pitch. Yorkshire had themselves been rushed out for 83 by Derbyshire's brothers Pope. Smurthwaite took five wickets for seven runs in just four eight ball overs and two balls.
This was not the start of a famous career, however and he soon went back to the Second team in the minor county 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 war. He played as a professional in the North Yorkshire and South Durham leagues for many years after the war with great success. He was born on October 17, 1916 in North Ormesby, Yorkshire and died on October 20, 1989 in Middlesbrough.
In all first class games he scored 29 runs, with a best of 20* against Worcestershire CCC, and took 12 wickets at 19.75. He quite failed to fulfill the promise that such luminaries as Neville Cardus had seen in him.
