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Dennis Bateson, one of the greatest all-rounders in Bradford League history with more than 10,000 runs and 1,000 wickets to his name, has died aged 82.

Yeadon's Bateson is the only player to have achieved that particular double and had outstanding success primarily with Saltaire and Yeadon in a career which spanned 37 years from 1942-1979 and also saw him have brief spells with East Bierley and Windhill.

Bateson featured in the Yeadon side which won the Priestley Cup in 1945, 1947 and 1949, and scored 90 when Yeadon made 365 in 1947 - the highest ever cup final score - against Salts who replied with 307 to make the aggregate total of runs a record too.

When he retired in 1979 he had amassed 12,676 runs and 1,139 wickets. His Bradford League career batting average was 25.41 and his wickets were obtained at a miserly 14.11 runs apiece.

Yeadon's League Representative Les Wood played alongside Bateson when he first broke into the club's side in 1970.

He said: "Dennis was a great cricketer and a lovely man. I can remember both playing with him and against him. As a batsman he never sold his wicket cheaply, then as a bowler he gave you absolutely nothing. He was incredibly accurate and was extremely hard to score off. If that wasn't enough he was also a fine slip catcher.

"I kept wicket to him in my second season at the club and saw just how tough an opponent he was. He was remarkably consistent and though he didn't bowl at a great pace, he was awkward to play.

"I can also remember facing him when I moved to Eccleshill. I would say to him give me a half-volley or something to hit' but he seldom did."

JCT 600 Bradford League Life Member John France knew Bateson well. France played against him many times. He recalls: "He was at Saltaire and I was at Yeadon. As a bowler he was a formidable opponent. He wasn't quick but he mixed things up well. He would bowl an off spinner and follow it with a seamer.

"Dennis was also a formidable batsman and an outstanding fielder. Cricket wasn't the only sport he played. Dennis was a good footballer and kept goal in the same Ives Sports side which I played for when I was 16."

His funeral will be held at Rawdon Crematorium on today, Thursday, at 11.40am. A widower he leaves two daughters Kathryn and Mary, four grandchildren and three great grandchildren.

11:55am Thursday 24th April 2008

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