James Smurthwaite

Who was James Smurthwaite?

James Smurthwaite was an English first-class cricketer, who played seven matches for Yorkshire County Cricket Club in 1938 and 1939.

Born in North Ormesby, Middlesbrough, Yorkshire, England, Smurthwaite was a fast medium swing bowler, who could also bowl medium quick off breaks. 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 and two balls.

This was not the start of a famous career, however and he soon 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 I. He played as a professional in the North Yorkshire and South Durham leagues 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 he took 12 wickets at 19.75.

Smurthwaite died in October 1989 in North Ormesby.