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James SmurthwaiteJames 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 Cricket 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
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