Devon Cricket Board - Toss-up surprise for Honiton stalwart Linsdell

Toss-up surprise for Honiton stalwart Linsdell

Terry Linsdell conducting the toss before the game with Jim Allenby (left) and Gareth Batty - photo: Somerset CCC
By RICHARD WALSH
A ‘Somerset Dream’ came true for Terry Linsdell when he walked out to the middle of the pitch at the County Ground on Monday to do the toss ahead of the match between Somerset and Surrey.
Terry attended the Royal London One Day Cup as part of his 80th birthday celebrations along with his three sons and two grandsons, totally unaware his family had been in touch with the club to arrange a special treat as part of their Somerset Dreams scheme.
‘We left Honiton at 8.30 am in order to get to the ground when it opened an hour later and when we had secured our seats I was told by William and Edward they had a surprise for me,’ said Terry.
‘They took me to the membership office where I was told that as I had supported Somerset for 40 years or so and served on the Devon and Cornwall committee in the early 1990's my sons had asked if something could be done to recognise this on my big day.
‘I was in a bit of a daze as I walked to the middle with umpires Neil Bainton and Alex Wharf, and skippers Jim Allenby and Gareth Batty.
‘After hand shakes and greetings all round, I was handed a ten pence coin which I spun high into the air and Gareth called ‘heads’; It came down tails and Jim said ‘ we'll have a bowl.’
While all this was going on pictures involving Terry and family were being shown on the big screen including one of him being presented with an engraved rose bowl for his dedication to Honiton Cricket Club by Marcus Trescothick during his benefit year at a six-a-side knockout at the Honiton.
Terry added: ‘It was a great cricket match eventually won by Somerset. Thank-you William and Edward, and thank you Somerset for making my big day so very special.’

DCB Ltd, University of Exeter Sports Hall, Stocker Road, Exeter, Devon EX4 4QN Company Registration Number: 7024773