Well, Jack delivered a talk as fluently and directly as he always bowled – straight and to the point.
He played for three counties: Northants, Yorkshire and Somerset.
His best result was his first and only first-class 100 at Old Trafford.
As a latecomer to professional cricket, he played the game as he would wish to watch it.
He didn’t view it as a 'real' job (he’d had one of those) but as having fun with his mates.
After a trial with Surrey came to nothing, he answered a call to open trials with Northants.
In his first match he took 6 for 90, scored some runs and thought it would bring him a one-year contract.
Instead he was offered four years, and his highlight was opening the bowling against Australia as part of their pre-Test warm-ups.
He did a Lions tour and roomed with Jonnie Bairstow.
While various counties tried to get him after that, Yorkshire's offer seemed quirky enough to get his attention.
No red carpet or plush surroundings for our then coach Mr Gillespie – coffee at a motorway service station was what swung it.
Ultimately it proved to be more than that though: at season's end Yorkshire were promoted while Lancashire, the other contender for Jack's signature, were relegated.
So he moved to Leeds and in with Liam Plunkett, becoming his driver, a good mate, and later Liam's best man.
Being capped by Steve Patterson was a real prize for Jack – and their relationship continues to this day as they got together briefly for tea in Beverley before our meeting.
In a Steve-related tale, Jack told us how Jason Gillespie loves to sign items with his moniker 'Dizzy 201' – including on this occasion one of Steve's bats.
Seeing the coach signing, the other players followed suit, little realising this was the bat Steve was about to wield on the field.
Jack loved celebrating Yorkshire's back-to back 2014 and 2015 Championship wins with his teammates – especially in 2015 when the trophy was retained with a 10-wicket victory over Worcestershire.
That first class ton in 2017 was scored against quality bowling – James Anderson, Tom Bailey, Steve Parry and Liam Livingstone – although Jack was honest enough to admit he didn’t actually face Anderson.
He was 94 not out overnight and under some pressure next day to get his last six runs, as captain Gary Ballance had decided to bat on for only half an hour before declaring.
In the end he took it to the wire, taking 27 minutes to score the runs he needed – every one a single.
Out of contract in 2018, Jack was aged 34, settled and keen to stay with Yorkshire but the club's offer was unappealing and he decided on a move to Somerset, bringing him more success in the 2023 Vitality Blast.
Like many senior players, he took on an unofficial coaching role towards the end of his career, and after discussion with Alec Stewart, he is now the bowling coach with Surrey seconds.
In reply to our questions, we learned that Jack didn’t wish to chase a media career as he prefers coaching.
Surrey is a well-run club making a lot of money from its ground and events, so it is less dependent on ECB funding.
Yorkshire's Matt Fisher should do well there, and we should look out for Dan Worrall who could soon follow Gus Atkinson into the England set up.
Summing up, Jack has enjoyed being a 'nasty fasty', playing in the way he wanted, and knowing that even a bad day on the field was far better than working for a living.
Simon Foster gave a well-deserved vote of thanks - and again, thanks go to our audience of 60+ members and friends who helped to raise over £200 for the raffle.
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Prior to Jack's talk, Maggie conducted our 2024 AGM with a welcome Michael-style brevity.
Maggie will combine the roles of chair and secretary in 2024/25, supported by deputies Simon Foster and Mark Heap.
Other committee members were re-elected unanimously.
The treasurer’s report was accepted and, in an unusual move, Yorkshire folk voted en masse to increase our membership and guest fees in 2025/26 to £20 and £7 respectively.
This will help us to cover increased venue and banking costs and to maintain the high calibre of speakers enjoyed in the recent past.
In another unanimous vote, we also agreed to implement a new start time of 7:30pm from January 2025 onwards.
Apologies were received from: Chris Douglas, Ken Gofton, Pam Lumb, Sue Rahman, Geoff Wellsteed.
The 2024/25 ERCS Committee consists of:
John Potter: President
Vice-President: Michael Lovis
Maggie Sumner: Chair/Secretary
Simon Foster & Mark Heap: Deputy Chairs
Brian Sanderson: Treasurer
Ian Sumner: Raffle
Cathy Rennison: Reporter