Brian Close Honoured in America

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On October 1st Yorkshire C.C.C. and England legend Brian Close will travel to Hartford (Connecticut) in order to be formally inducted into the American ‘Cricket Hall of Fame’. The ceremony itself will take place on the evening of October 2nd at the Hilton Hotel in Hartford.

The ‘Cricket Hall of Fame’ is a non-profit organisation dedicated to promoting and developing the game of cricket in the United States. It inducts local and international cricketing heroes in recognition of their contribution to the sport and also aims to make a difference in the community through charitable work, in the true spirit of the game.

A largely West Indian-run organisation, the ‘Cricket Hall of Fame’ committee have held Brian in high esteem ever since his resilient and bruising batting display against the ferocious pace attack of Michael Holding and Andy Roberts at Old Trafford in 1976.

Brian’s fellow international inductee this year is ex-Indian captain Ajit Wadekar. As it happens Brian once caught Mr. Wadekar for 91 in a Test Match at Headingley in 1967. Former inductees include: Sir Vivian Richards, Sir Garfield Sobers, Michael Holding and Sunil Gavaskar.

The trans-Atlantic journey has been made possible with the kind support of both ‘The Wisden Cricketer Magazine’ and the Yorkshire Pride Lottery. Wisden are sending one of their journalists with Brian in order to cover the event for a future issue.

Whilst in the States Closey will be visiting both the headquarters of ESPNcricinfo and also Staten Island C.C. in order to meet with Joseph O’Neill, author of the Booker Prize nominated novel ‘Netherland’. Indeed, it was Mr. O’Neill who first approached YCCC with a view to organising Brian’s journey to the States.

Rest assured that pictures from the trip will appear on the website as soon as possible!