What a night! We went out with more than a bang thanks to Mr Marks.
Vic opened with his proudest record – that no first-class bowler in the 1980s conceded more runs than him – and rather set the tone for what followed.
With more than a nod to his location, he commented that Joe Root is probably the best batsman he's ever seen
but that watching in Pakistan suggests that Harry Brook isn't far
behind.
No stranger to matters cultural as well as sporting, Vic ensured that Michelangelo and Harold Pinter both featured during the evening – perhaps a first for our society!
Vic made his England ODI debut in 1980, playing two matches vs the Windies under captain Ian Botham. As 12th man at Headingley, Vic spent time usefully in the nets bowling Boycott back into form. Sir Geoffrey, however, did not return the favour!
Vic played at Lords in the second game – perhaps Botham’s finest display of captaincy as England won a tight game. Man-of-the-match Boycott was run out for 70 – but was no longer on hand to receive his award. He was already on the train back to Yorkshire to compete the following day against Sussex at Middlesbrough.
Vic’s favourite Yorkshireman is his first county captain, Brian Close.
Close was 'mad, funny, larger than life, inspirational – and Somerset thought the world of him'. Stories involving Tom Cartwright, Garry Sobers, golf and some recklessly jettisoned car keys proved the point.
According to Vic, the way a cricketer plays is often a good clue to their character. Not so for two West Indian greats, however. Laid-back Malcolm Marshall was hostile to all batsmen – and especially to Vic. Unaccountably so, in fact, until Robin Smith provided the explanation. Meanwhile Viv Richards on-field self-confidence masked a shy, polite, mild-mannered individual, as one tongue-tied Devon farmer discovered when hosting Viv at a benefit fixture.
Here Vic did a quick time check. 'Are you ready for a break?' Certainly not. 'We're from Yorkshire,' came a shout, 'we want our money’s worth!'
Vic took it very well and continued to entertain us with tales of his broadcasting colleagues – including Tony Cozier (his favourite), the notoriously scatty Christopher Martin-Jenkins, and the quick-witted Jonathan Agnew.
Vic rates Aggers highly as an interviewer because he listens and responds to his 'View from the Boundary' guests – including celebrities like Tom Courtenay and Mick Jagger.
Our president, John Potter, unexpectedly grabbed the first question.
Could Vic cast his mind back to Barnsley's Shaw Lane ground in May 1976, when Combined Universities beat Yorkshire in the B&H Cup?
Captain Vic could still name his side, which included the likes of Peter Roebuck, Paul Parker and Chris Tavare.
Both John and Maggie were in the crowd that day.
Chairman Michael could not be kept quiet for long, however.
What were Vic’s thoughts on keepers and who the best might be?
Joss Buttler or Ben Foulkes are both up there, came the reply, although the batter/keeper is not a modern phenomenon.
If Michael was a selector, joked Vic (correctly discerning our chairman's views), Adam Gilchrist may never have played for Australia.
Faced by a bumper, 'what’s the best question you’ve never been asked?', Vic – who had joined Somerset as a batsman – replied 'Aren't you disappointed by your batting career?'.
Vic fears for the future of Tests in these days of franchise leagues.
Test cricket has something lacking from other formats. Current players regard it as the ultimate challenge – one that gives them the chance to cement their place in cricket history. So that gives hope for now, but the next generation may see it differently.
The financially dominant Test-playing nations – India, Australia and England – must help the rest to keep Tests going. Eight or nine teams are needed to make the format viable.
As for his favourite ground, Vic listed three: Scarbados (a popular choice) because it attracts a full house, Worcester because he scored runs there, and the WACA for happy memories of a successful spell with Western Australia in 1987.
Vic still struggles to explain the falling-out between new Somerset captain Peter Roebuck and the star trio of Botham, Richards and Garner. Perhaps Roebuck's desire for total control of his side might underlie it, but Vic prefers to view this sad episode as ancient history.
How did Roebuck's approach contrast with the captaincy style of Ben Stokes?
After initially questioning the wisdom of the appointment, Vic feels that Ben has quickly acquired a kind of guru status, instilling confidence throughout the team. His players are almost in thrall to him, including veterans Anderson and Broad, no partisans of cavalier cricket.
Ironically, by giving players their freedom, Ben has a degree of control over his side that Roebuck never achieved.
On to the B&H Cup at Worcester in 1979, when Brian Rose controversially declared the Somerset innings at 1-0, needing only one run to qualify for the next round. Vic confessed to his regrets. Only keeper Derek Taylor had objected at the time, but all but one of the first-class counties later voted to eject Somerset from the competition.
And some good did come of it – the rules were changed to ban declarations in one-day games.
Maggie thanked Vic for a superbly entertaining evening, improbably bringing together Yorkshire's Arthur 'Rocker' Robinson with great names of British theatre. She also announced a midsummer special, when Barry Richards visits Beverley on Wednesday 28 June, 7.30 for 7.45pm. Watch out for further details.
We've also been thinking about our meeting day. Do we prefer a Monday or a Thursday? Thanks to everyone who responded to our survey: 70 per cent of members are happy with either; 15 per cent prefer Monday and 15 per cent opt for Thursday. So for 2023-24 we'll mix and match, depending on speaker preference.
Staying with statistics, Vic attracted a record attendance of 68, just edging out our previous 'bests', Derek Pringle and Farokh Engineer.
And still with the numbers, our regular raffle and a special draw for a bat signed by England captain Joe Root and Yorkshire skipper Steve Patterson raised a magnificent £366.
Many congratulations to John Wilson, who won the bat, and sincere thanks to all who bought tickets.
Thank you, and goodnight! Have a happy, cricket-filled summer.
Cathy Rennison