I like the Jackers story [Alastair Hignell's First Ball memory], especially as it was true "in the trade" getting a debutant off the mark in his first match. Don’t think they do that now! You were lucky Surrey weren’t renowned for conceding.
My debut was aged 19 at Hove v Leicester. Batted No 11 DNB but had Stanley Jayasinghe caught by a knocked over Les Lenham at mid wicket from a long hop!
Next match v Yorks at Bradford (arrived 1am) from Hove after Leicester game. Promoted to No 10 did bat, out first ball, caught by Jimmy Binks to a Fred Trueman bouncer. They obviously didn’t have an etiquette code north of Watford Gap!
FOOTNOTE
In those early 60s we had a 2nd XI game at Arundel Castle v Glos.
Glos. had Mike Procter and Barry Richards in their team. The word was that Procter was chosen to stay at Glos. (you could only have one overseas) and Richards was free to offers. Sussex offered Richards a contract worth £900 a year. Hampshire came in with £1,000 and that’s where he went!
Memory added on December 14, 2020
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