Brook Lane’s Simpson proving he is no melon

Sep 6 2008 Liverpool Daily Post

ORMSKIRK’S wicketkeeper-batsman John Simpson is an expert on melons.

Honeydew, water, rock, he enjoys them all. He has even been spotted carrying a bag of fruit around the Brook Lane tea room. Pizzas, sandwiches and chips are not for him during games. He is a professional cricketer and it is therefore his job to prepare himself properly.

Simpson has been even more aware of his responsibilities since June, when he left Lancashire and signed a two-year deal with Middlesex. It was a move which he was ready to make and which he doesn’t regret in the slightest.

“There was a lack of opportunities at Lancashire,” said Simpson. “I sat down with John Stanworth (academy director) and Gary Yates (assistant coach) and we decided the best thing would be for me to look elsewhere.”

“I got the opportunity at Middlesex and about an hour after I signed, I got a message from John Stanworth saying ‘congratulations’, which I appreciated. But it’s been a fantastic four months for me. We’re second in the Second XI Championship and our average age is about 21. We’re a young and very promising side. I’d done nine years at Lancashire and moving down to Middlesex was a great opportunity.”

Simpson, already an England Under-19 international, doesn’t mention that he has already claimed 23 victims and hit five 50s for his new team in Second XI Championship cricket.

He is making a success of his new life in London and will be going to Adelaide to take up his place at the Darren Lehmann Academy in the winter. His career is on the up.

None of this should be particularly surprising, given that cricket is very much in Simpson’s blood. His father, Jack, was also a wicketkeeper and became a legend playing for Haslingden and Ramsbottom in the Lancashire League. John spent five seasons at Haslingden before moving to Ormskirk last season and that move was also prompted by his need to further his career.

“I wanted to play on wickets more like those I played on during the week in Second XI cricket. I sat down with my father and talked about it before making the decision,” he added. “This is more of a batting league whereas the Lancashire League is renowned for the world-famous names who play there. Perhaps the standard is a bit better in the Competition, but it can be a great test to bat against a pro on a wet one.”

Having proved that his talents include diplomacy as well as wicketkeeping and batsmanship, Simpson may yet be making the journey from London to Ormskirk to play against Lytham this afternoon.

It is a match which Adam Waterhouse’s side probably need to win if they are to keep their hopes of the championship in good health. The wicketkeeper’s involvement depends on his preparation.

Today’s: Business Assistance Liverpool Competition: ECB Premier League: Bootle v Formby, Colwyn Bay v Hightown, Fleetwood Hesketh v Prestatyn, New Brighton v St Helens Recs, Northern v Wallasey, Ormskirk v Lytham, Southport and Birkdale v Maghull. First Division: Ainsdale v Northop Hall, Huyton v Wigan, Leigh v Skelmersdale, Newton-le-Willows v Rainford, Orrell Red Triangle v Highfield, St Helens v Sefton Park, Wavertree v Liverpool.