Published: Nov 16, 2015, 07:56 PM (IST)
Edited: Nov 16, 2015, 07:56 PM (IST)
Chris Balderstone was one of those rare personalities who played two sports at the top-level with distinction. An English County legend, Balderstone played 390 First-Class games for Leicestershire, Yorkshire and England — two Tests in July-August 1976. He was also an equally proficient footballer, having played as a midfielder for Huddersfield Town, Carlisle United, Doncaster Rovers and Queen of the South.
An interesting moment in his life came on September 15, 1975, when he etched his name in history by playing two sports at top-level on the same day. He was a part of the last leg of the County Championship match between Derbyshire and Leicestershire that started on September 13. Coincidentally, Balderstone’s Football League side Doncaster Rovers was supposed to play Brentford in a Fourth Division Football League match on September 17.
Given that the two grounds were not far away from each other, Leicestershire granted Balderstone permission. The day’s play ended at the aforementioned time with Leicestershire on 108 for 5 (123 ahead) and Balderstone on 51. The football match was scheduled for a 7:30 pm start. Balderstone got his car, drove straight to Doncaster, and took ground just in time for the start. As luck would have it, he did well at both the places. Doncaster Rovers drew 1-1 with Brentford while the next day he scored a hundred and helped his side win by 135 runs. This would remain as one of the greatest all-round moments in the history of the two sports forever.
