A TRULY REMARKABLE ALLROUNDER & CLUB CAPTAIN FOR 10 SEASONS
Brian Blight’s involvement with the Wistow Cricket Club began in 1938 when, as a boy, he would “fill in” at times to make up the XI. After World War II and on returning home from college for season 1946/47 he had emerged as a permanent ‘A’ Grade player. He excelled as a player for 28 years ending his outstanding career at the end of the 1974/75 season.
Brian was a good all-round cricketer; an excellent fielder, a stylish left-handed batter and also a polished wicketkeeper; but his greatest strength was his consistent wicket-taking as a leg spin bowler. At least nine centuries were made during his career, his first as a 21 year old and his last in ‘B’ Grade at age 46. His best performance in a match was 113 n.o. and 6/40, including a hat trick, against Callington in 1953.
Association matches were played only on a limited scale during Brian’s career so Country Carnivals were an arena for association participation. Brian was first selected in 1952 and played until 1974. Together with the inception of the Meyer Shield in 1964/65, in which he also played, he stood as captain in several association matches. Wistow elected him as Club Captain firstly in 1948 and for a total of 10 seasons in all, including two ‘A’ Grade premierships. Win or lose, his composure and good sportsmanship were always evident. Brian was always involved in club administration, serving in all positions over the years and was granted Life Membership in 1965.
Brian won the A Grade Batting Aggregate on at least 7 occasions and the Average 5 times as well as the B Grade Batting Aggregate & Average on 1 occasion; his best seasons with the bat came in 1959/60 and 1960/61 when he scored 663 and 589 runs in back-to-back seasons – across those two seasons he scored a total of 9 half-centuries and 3 centuries. With the ball, he won the A Grade Bowling Aggregate on at least 5 occasions and the Average 3 times, taking over 30 wickets in a season on at least 6 occasions, with a best of 45 wickets in 1960/61.
HONOUR BOARD
Wistow CC Life Member – Awarded in 1965
Seven-time A Grade Premiership Player – 1951/52 (took 5/89), 1958/59, 1960/61, 1963/64 (made 26 and took 3/28), 1964/65, 1965/66 & 1966/67 (took 3/27)
1951/52 A Grade Premiership Captain
1963/64 A Grade Premiership Captain
1955/56 A Grade Batting – Aggregate & Average – 306 runs @ 38.25 **stats are incomplete for this season**
1957/58 A Grade Batting – Aggregate – 361 runs
1959/60 A Grade Batting – Aggregate & Average – 663 runs @ 55.25
1960/61 A Grade Batting – Aggregate & Average – 589 runs @ 45.31
1962/63 A Grade Batting – Aggregate & Average – 396 runs @ 33.00
1964/65 A Grade Batting – Aggregate – 328 runs
1967/68 A Grade Batting – Aggregate & Average – 398 runs @ 66.33
1971/72 B Grade Batting – Aggregate & Average – 401 runs @ 57.29
1954/55 A Grade Bowling – Aggregate & Average – 22 wickets @ 10.91 **stats are incomplete for this season**
1955/56 A Grade Bowling – Aggregate & Average – 35 wickets @ 9.94 **stats are incomplete for this season**
1957/58 A Grade Bowling – Aggregate – 40 wickets
1959/60 A Grade Bowling – Aggregate – 34 wickets
1960/61 A Grade Bowling – Aggregate – 45 wickets
1962/63 A Grade Bowling – Average – 10.38 (13 wickets)
Statistics for Brian’s career from before 1955 are not yet available but for the last 20 years of his career, Brian played 188 matches, scoring 6,084 runs (third most in club history) @ 32.89 including 29 half-centuries and 9 centuries. With the ball, Brian took at least 435 wickets (second most in club history) @ 13.33 including 19 five wicket hauls and at least 3 hat tricks. He also took at least 115 catches (seventh most in club history) and 6 stumpings.