Three signed miniature bats, a 1960s Yorkshire team, a Richard Blakey Benefit Team & a Wombwell CLS 1960 team; sold with a signed copy of Brian Close's testimonial brochure (4) appendix The Brian Close Collection (Captain of Yorkshire & England) Lots 83 to 101 Brian Close is remembered as a great captain and as a gifted all-rounder. He batted left-handed, bowled right-handed medium pace or spin, and was a fearless close fielder. Born at Rawdon, near Leeds, in 1931, he achieved fame overnight at the age of eighteen when he achived the 'double' for Yorskhire and won a Test call against New Zealand. He remains the youngest player to have been capped for England. However, a series of disappointments were to follow for a period and his career seemed plagued by ill-luck. He even doubled up as a professional footballer for a period where he sustained an injury that would keep him out of cricket for a season. He gained a reputation as a heroic batsman against fast bowling, especially after the series against West Indies in 1963, the year he also became Yorkshire captain. In 1966 he was asked to captain England and did so with success before losing the position through a disciplinary matter. He eventually lost the Yorkshire captaincy in controversial circumstances before embarking on a successful twilight career as Somerset captain from 1972 to 1977 and even won a Test recall against the mighty West Indian pace attack of 1976. Brian Close was appointed as a Test selector in 1979 and was awarded a CBE for his services to cricket.
£100 - £200
Three signed miniature bats, a 1960s Yorkshire team, a Richard Blakey Benefit Team & a Wombwell CLS 1960 team; sold with a signed copy of Brian Close's testimonial brochure (4) appendix The Brian Close Collection (Captain of Yorkshire & England) Lots 83 to 101 Brian Close is remembered as a great captain and as a gifted all-rounder. He batted left-handed, bowled right-handed medium pace or spin, and was a fearless close fielder. Born at Rawdon, near Leeds, in 1931, he achieved fame overnight at the age of eighteen when he achived the 'double' for Yorskhire and won a Test call against New Zealand. He remains the youngest player to have been capped for England. However, a series of disappointments were to follow for a period and his career seemed plagued by ill-luck. He even doubled up as a professional footballer for a period where he sustained an injury that would keep him out of cricket for a season. He gained a reputation as a heroic batsman against fast bowling, especially after the series against West Indies in 1963, the year he also became Yorkshire captain. In 1966 he was asked to captain England and did so with success before losing the position through a disciplinary matter. He eventually lost the Yorkshire captaincy in controversial circumstances before embarking on a successful twilight career as Somerset captain from 1972 to 1977 and even won a Test recall against the mighty West Indian pace attack of 1976. Brian Close was appointed as a Test selector in 1979 and was awarded a CBE for his services to cricket.