Robin Pratt- RIP

I was saddened to learn of the death of Robin Pratt today. We played cricket together in the late sixties early seventies and although he could be quite a handful for any skipper he was a great man to have by your side.

He bowled right arm leg spin before it was in fashion and could score useful runs.

Perhaps the most colourful episode I can recall concerns a friendly game Shipley v Dunstall at their lovely ground . The Squire's son was playing for the home side and was a bit up himself- cravat, multi-coloured cap- and really not wishing to associate with the hoi por loi. Just the sort that would annoy Robin and the two were exchanging words from the start. Robin was bowling all scruffy and beard flowing beating the bat frequently before finally bowling and sending off Son of Squire who made the mistake of calling Robin a scruffy bugger. The next moment Robin had the offenders head under his arm threatening to send him skywards and had to be restrained.
We never played at Dunstall again!

Simon Lacey recalls that Robin decided he wanted to live in the USA and duly got visas and flights and set out for his new homeland. The customs officials took one look at him at Kennedy Airport and promptly shipped him back on the next available plane. His exile had lasted 3 days and he could be found in the pub on his first night back complaining of rights violation.

He suffered ill health in his later years with severe arthritis and breathing problems but treated such misfortunes with light hearted distain.

A lovely, funny man the like of which we are unlikely to come across again. RIP Robin.