A family member pointed to this article in the Grauniad.
I was very grateful to rekindle memories of youthful cricket.
Learie Constantine was a hero of mine ever since I was able to lift a bat and book. I believe he appeared in a charity match at my local cricket ground in Salford. I was not there but I did grace the ground myself once. My contribution to the sporting conflict which I believe was a friendly was confined to plying the opposition's fielders with pints on the boundary while I waited for my undistinguished turn at the tail end. Neither activity was edifying or effective. Another man I admired Terry, recounted the following story about the charity match involving Learie. The match started and progressed with good humor and when Learie took the crease, a deal of excitement. Since he had by then spent more time in the House of Lords than on the pitch he was not on top form. It was understandable, therefore, that the first ball he faced took the edge of his bat and headed in a gentle arc towards the gloves of the very competent keeper. The keeper was not only very able but also astute. He was momentarily blinded by the sun, which witnesses later claimed was directly behind him, and put the dolly down. Sir Learie went on to make a good score which was greatly enjoyed and cheered on by the crowd and a grand day was had by all. According to my friend Terry, that is. He could be a most unreliable witness!
