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First of the Summer Wine

George Hirst, Schofield Haigh, Wilfred Rhodes and the Gentle Heart of Yorkshire Cricket

About The Book

SHORTLISTED FOR THE MCC / CRICKET SOCIETY BOOK OF THE YEAR AWARD

George Hirst, Schofield Haigh and Wilfred Rhodes were known as The Triumvirate. Inseparable pals off the field and a devastating combination on it, the trio helped turn Yorkshire into the greatest county cricket team of the early 20th century.


George Herbert Hirst was one of the most popular sportsmen of his era, his brilliance with bat and ball matched by the warmth of his personality. Schof was the greatest wet wicket bowler of his time, his flow of cheery wisecracks masking insecurities about his form and fitness. Wilfred was quiet and watchful, his analytical brain marking him out as the Sherlock Holmes of the summer game. Together they left a legacy of great deeds, good humour and decency: gentle men from a gentler time.

About The Author

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Harry Pearson was born and brought up on the edge of Teesside and is the author of twelve works of non-fiction. His first book, The Far Corner - A Mazy Dribble through North-East Football, was shortlisted for the William Hill Prize and is still in print. He wrote a weekly sports column in the Guardian from 1996 to 2012, and has twice won the MCC/Cricket Society Prize for the Cricket Book of the Year. He lives in Northumberland.

Product Details

  • Publisher: Simon & Schuster UK (July 5, 2023)
  • Length: 336 pages
  • ISBN13: 9781398501546

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Raves and Reviews

'A masterpiece of observation and comic timing'

– Wisden Cricket Monthly

'In this wistful paean, Pearson...knits all these achievements together with lovely turns of phrase and colourful descriptions'

– The Times

'An engrossing study'

– The Cricketer

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