You’re a cricketer battling away with a club trying to ascend the East of Scotland Leagues from virtually a standing start and the changing room door opens to usher in a new recruit.
But it is not any recruit who has joined the North Berwick-based Bass Rock club.
Rather George Salmond, erstwhile captain of Scotland whose CV includes jousts as a batter with the likes of Aussie greats Glenn McGrath and the late Shane Warne not to mention Pakistani speed bowler Shoab Akhtar who, in his pomp, was regarded as the world’s fastest with deliveries estimated at around 100mph.
Put another way that’s a third of a second to pick up the flight of the ball, get into position and attempt a shot!
“Fortunately the reaction to my arrival at Bass Rock was pleasingly low key” recalls George who has just scooped batting and bowling awards at the Division Two club’s annual awards as he continues make light of his half century plus of years.
Or, as Ian Botham, once put it “form is temporary, class is permanent.”
But how has George sustained his enthusiasm when plenty other sports stars found it hard to cope with being a “scalp” for up and comings?
“I am honestly as nervous batting for Bass Rock as I was playing for Arbroath, Grange, Carlton … or Scotland.
“It is such a pleasure to contribute to Bass Rock who are a great bunch of guys taking cricket – but not themselves – too seriously.”
Bass Rock are his local club and it was when a successful stint as an SPFL football referee came to an end due to work commitments (he is head of junior school at George Watson’s College) he spotted cricket being played in a nearby park and that left him craving for another crack with bat and ball.
But where does the motivation come from today when you have knocked the ball around at international level including on the hallowed Lord’s turf and other Test grounds?
“I thoroughly enjoy playing at grounds I have never previously visited whether Cavalry Park, the Meadows or Leith Links.
“And, believe me, when I don’t have time to practice as much as I had to in the Scotland days I try to guard my wicket even harder.
“The buzz is very much still there and I am grateful to my wife for the fact when we maybe go away for a few days we try to get back in time for a Saturday game!
“There are such a lot of good players In the East League which is so inclusive, too.
“On our journey through the divisions we have come up against so many teams with players of South Asian heritage and I can honestly say it has always been a pleasure to pitch ourselves against those with such a cricketing passion …. matched only by our own Bass Rock team!”
- In taking the Bass Rock batting and bowling prizes 56-year-old George scored 526 runs from 15 league matches at an average of 43.83,#.
- Bowling realised 14 wickets at an average o 13.93
- Three catches were taken.
A cricketing evergreen if ever there was for a club who finished fifth in the league table.
