In 1948 as an 11 year old living in a small village in the East Riding I was very surprised and excited when my father announced he was taking me to Leeds to watch a test match. An early start saw us arrive at Woodhouse Moor before 9 o’clock and a shuttle bus got us up to Headingly in good time. We joined the end of the queue which stretched into Kirkstall Road and managed to get a seat near the Winter Shed just before the start of play. The great Don Bradman was leading the Australians and Alec Bedser was fighting back as night watchman.

We did it all again the following day but this time the queue was much longer and we had to sit on the grass bank close to the bowling green. The sun shone all day and it was much warmer. An abiding memory was of the lemonade bottles of spectators popping their corks.

Sadly England lost the test match but the two days paved the way for a long involvement in cricket.