I Don't Bruise Easily

Close played for Leeds United as a junior under Major Frank Buckley, and details his early experiences playing for Leeds United in the chapter "Leeds United to Australia - via the Guard Room".

Dennis Brian Close is a character in the game of cricket that remains divisive. Although his talent may never be questioned, his attitude, temperament, and perceived lack of success at international level were, and still are, brought up against him.  A forthright Yorkshireman, he never shirked from saying what he thought. The title of the book stems from Close’s habit of letting the ball hit him rather than backing down, frequently resulting in his body being covered in bruises after matches. In many ways, he lived his life the same way off the pitch, never stepping aside or ducking just to avoid a blow.

In 1949, at just 18 years old, he became England’s youngest Test player, a title he described as “an albatross around my neck.” But he could well have chosen another path in sport, as he was also a very talented footballer and on the books at Leeds United. Close was the first Leeds player to play for England at youth level, joining a select few cricketers who have dabbled in both sports at the highest levels, such as Ian Botham (Scunthorpe), Denis Compton (Arsenal), and Viv Richards who played for Antigua during their unsuccessful 1974 World Cup qualifying campaign.

On the one hand, Close had a great many successes, winning the championship with Yorkshire County Cricket Club in 1959, ‘60, and ‘62. He then captained YCC to championships in 1963, ‘66, ‘67 & ‘68. Despite prolific county success, however, his lack of consistency at the highest level fuelled his critics. His 7th Test in 1961 against Australia in particular stands out, and Close alone was singled out for losing the Test. He justifiably remains bemused at his loss of the captaincy of England after leading 8 Tests without defeat. He points to bad luck as one cause, as well as fine individual play from his opponents when he looks for reasons as to why his international career never matched that of his county triumphs.

Close attempts to examine himself in terms of some of his more public failings quite openly, and doesn’t back down from some of his more controversial episodes. He reveals how on his first overseas tour of Australia in 1950 (where he went out for a duck in his second Test in Melbourne) he felt alienated by the senior players he had hero-worshipped to such an extent, that he contemplated suicide. He also stands by his criticism of one-day cricket, which led to his sacking by Yorkshire CCC.

It is with this type of frankness that Close tells his story. Close isn’t asking for forgiveness or seeking excuses. He is simply doing what he does best: telling it straight. Maligned and criticised throughout most of his international career, Close still stands as one of the best all round players of his generation, and whose undying and genuine passion for the game of cricket comes across on every page.

Review by S. Gibbard.

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