ONE of England’s greatest cricketers has been remembered in his home village as the 75th anniversary of his death approaches.

Hedley Verity, who began his sporting career in Rawdon, played for Yorkshire and England between 1930 and 1939. The legendary cricketer took part in the controversial Bodyline tour of 1933, and he also became the holder of the world record of ten wickets for ten runs.

His career and his life were cut short by the Second World War, and he died of wounds in Italy in 1943.

Now Rawdon Cricket Club has unveiled a Blue Plaque in memory of their former player.

The ceremony came about when Rawdon Parish Council chairman and cricket club member John Davies realised that the landmark anniversary was looming. The parish council agreed to fund a plaque, which was produced in conjunction with Aireborough Civic Society. The unveiling took place on July 14.

The wording on the plaque reads: “Hedley Verity 18 May 1905 – 31 July 1943. Yorkshire and England cricketer Rawdon CC, Yorkshire CCC, England. Lived in Rawdon and played his early cricket at Rawdon Cricket Club. Captain in the Green Howards during World War 2. Died of wounds in Caserta, Italy. Holder of the world record of 10 wickets for 10 runs against Nottinghamshire 1932.”

The Leeds-born bowling legend was chosen as one of Wisden’s Five Cricketers of the Year in 1931 and he enjoyed an impressive cricketing career up until the outbreak of war in 1939.

Verity joined the Green Howards and was severely wounded during the Allied invasion of Sicily in 1943, He was captured by the Germans and taken to the Italian mainland where he died.

In his last days he is reputed to have told a fellow prisoner of war: “I think I have played my last innings for Yorkshire.”

In 2015 a powerful drama about Verity’s last game of cricket on the eve of the Second World War was performed at Headingley. The Last Match, performed on September 1, marked 76 years to the day that the game between Yorkshire and Sussex took place, two days before Britain declared war on Germany.