Favourite cricketers 10 - George Pope

I never saw George Pope play. In fact, he'd retired 11 years before I was born.

George is, however, one of my favourite players because of his deeds and the legion of stories about him. Another of that tough breed of ex-mining industry players, George was, by any standards - even Brian Close standards - a tough nut. He did, after all, counter the short bowling of Larwood and Voce by chesting them down - remember, this was in an era before chest pads, thigh pads and various protective accoutrements became de rigeur for the professional batsman.
Excellent judges maintain that the two best all-rounders in the world just after the Second World War were Keith Miller and George Pope. certainly George taught Miller how to bowl the outswinger when they played on opposing teams in the Victory Tests of 1945. Bear in mind that at this time George was 34, and had lost his peak years from 1939 to the global conflict.

He was a crucial cog in the wonderful Derbyshire side of the 1930's. A batsman who could either sell his wicket dearly or hit the ball to all corners, depending on the need, he averaged 28 with the bat. That's not so impressive, you say, but the success of that side was in scoring enough - just enough - to give the bowlers a chance to bowl out the opposition, and to do so quickly. Sometimes a quick 30 or 40 was needed, and George did the business before holing out. His highest score came in his final season, 1948, when he hammered Hampshire to all parts in an unbeaten 207. His retirement at just 37 was down to his wife's ill-health, and he was still a fine player, achieving the double.

His bowling was typical Derbyshire, movement both ways, grudging every run and bristling with aggression. 677 wickets at just under 20 speaks of a very fine bowler, and those who faced George (and his brother Alf) knew they were in for a torrid time.

Stories about him abound. Like the one where the all-conquering Yorkshire side of the 30's were scenting victory and the field crept ever closer. Skipper Brian Sellers at short leg had to duck to avoid two lusty blows by George.

"I say Pope, I believe you're trying to hit me" said the Yorkshireman
"Aye, and if you stay theer any longer you'll be in no bluddy doubt" said George.

The cut and thrust of the border battles against Yorkshire and Notts often brought out the best in him, and his bald head would glisten with sweat as he pounded down ball after ball of relentless fast medium torment for the batsman.

George had many great days, and his only reward from the Test snobs - sorry, selectors - of the time was one match against South Africa in 1947. Shades of the treatment of Les Jackson in there. They said he couldn't bowl overseas, but he was the leading wicket taker in a Commonwealth XI tour to India, and this supposition simply masked the fact that George didn't have the right credentials, i.e. public school background.

His greatest day? Quite easy really. Derbyshire v Somerset at Chesterfield in June 1947. Somerset 68 all out. Pope 21-11-34-6. We then thrashed a quick 231, then put them back in after tea.

They were all out for 38. George took 7-16 in nine overs and the game was done in a day.

Not bad for a man worth one Test. If he were around today, he'd be making his fortune in the IPL.

And would still be worth it...