Derbyshire Legends 3 - Bill Bestwick (1875-1938)

Bill Bestwick was a very fine bowler in an era when Derbyshire had a very poor team.

Tall and solidly built, he was the stereotypical Derbyshire pace bowler. Not quite fast, but well above medium pace, he took only a short run and generated awkward bounce with his action and his powerful physique. He continued to play first class cricket until he was fifty, and at the age of 46 produced one of the most astonishing seasons by any veteran, when he took 147 wickets at an average of 16.

In his Derbyshire career he took over 1450 wickets at 21. To be honest, for a lot of that time he kept one end going for Derbyshire as he would regularly bowl throughout an innings. He had the job of strike AND stock bowler and did so well. Working down the pit each winter made sure that he maintained a high level of bowling fitness. He couldn't bat, and averaged only four runs an innings through his career, but Bill could bowl.

It was perhaps off the pitch where he achieved his greatest fame - or perhaps notoriety. He would regularly spend his lunch break in the beer tent, which set him up for the afternoon session, while close of play would see him back there or at some neighbouring hostelry. There were tales of a nature that would make front page headlines today, including a fight in which a man was knifed to death (although Bestwick was acquitted, being judged to have acted in self-defence). At times he was given a minder who's job was to get him to the ground intact, but Bill was a wily soul and often gave him the slip. It was once said that Bill's intake was not measured in pints, but gallons.

On one occasion he was dropped for a game at Worcester, but in the afternoon he appeared at the ground very much the worse for drink. Finding out who was playing, he made it clear to those around what he thought.

"Derbysheer? Derbysheer? If I'd known it were bluddy Derbyshire I wouldn't have bothered cummin in".

He spent some time in Wales as a professional and former colleagues feared trips there as it usually signalled Bill's worst excesses. It was also the scene of his greatest triumph, taking 10-40 in 19 overs BEFORE LUNCH after being rendered incapable of walking two nights before. Seven were clean bowled, so his eyes must have been focussed OK.

He is remembered as a rough diamond with a heart of gold. After a collection had been made to reward another fine performance, Bill counted the money and gave half of it back to Will Taylor, the club secretary.

"Gi' this t'owd Arthur. He needs it more than me". His team mate Arthur Morton had been involved in a motor bike accident and was unable to play - and therefore to be paid.

On his retirement he became an umpire and was well respected, although he did manage to anger Gubby Allen by giving the young Denis Compton out lbw when he was batting at number eleven. When Allen questioned the decision, Bill told him he knew full well that it wasn't out, but Middlesex had their first innings lead, he was dying for a pee and would have wet himself if he'd waited any longer!

He died of cancer in Nottingham General Hospital in 1938, having witnessed his county winning the Championship in 1936.

They don't make them like that any more.