Local cricket has been saddened by the death after a short illness of Petersfield stalwart Jim Smallbone (aged 71), arguably one of town’s best known and devoted sportsmen.
A competitive left-arm slow bowler with bucket-like catching hands and a crunching handshake, Jim’s contribution to cricket in Hampshire and beyond, both on and off the field, has been enormous.
It stretched well beyond the 50 years he spent at Petersfield as a player, Colts manager, 1st X1 captain, groundsman, maintenance man, not to mention serving behind the bar, and often making the teas.
Bob Pullin, Jim’s former skipper at The Heath, recalled: “Having joined Petersfield in 1963 and going on to become captain of the 1st X1, it was good to have a keen and enthusiastic team of players. “This was enhanced further when a young left arm spinner, Jim Smallbone, came into the team.
“He worked hard at his bowling and he became a valuable member of the team, helping us achieve success in both the Hampshire League and the Southern League.
“Jim was the ultimate clubman who did virtually everything and just loved playing cricket and being involved with the game, frequently captaining sides in which he played.”
A competitive left-arm slow bowler with bucket-like catching hands and a crunching handshake, Jim’s contribution to cricket in Hampshire and beyond, both on and off the field, has been enormous.
It stretched well beyond the 50 years he spent at Petersfield as a player, Colts manager, 1st X1 captain, groundsman, maintenance man, not to mention serving behind the bar, and often making the teas.
Bob Pullin, Jim’s former skipper at The Heath, recalled: “Having joined Petersfield in 1963 and going on to become captain of the 1st X1, it was good to have a keen and enthusiastic team of players. “This was enhanced further when a young left arm spinner, Jim Smallbone, came into the team.
“He worked hard at his bowling and he became a valuable member of the team, helping us achieve success in both the Hampshire League and the Southern League.
“Jim was the ultimate clubman who did virtually everything and just loved playing cricket and being involved with the game, frequently captaining sides in which he played.”
Jim Smallbone (centre) with Petersfield
An electrician by trade, Jim didn’t take up cricket until he was 18 years of age, but he captured almost 290 Southern League wickets for Petersfield and many, many more in the Hampshire League during his long and loyal time at The Heath, which came to an end ten years ago when he joined Havant.
Long time Petersfield and Hampshire Seniors’ team-mate Chris Wood recalled: “Jim was a man of action, not a talker. He was incredibly hard-working, loyal, generous with his time and extremely stubborn. Nothing could dissuade him once his mind was made-up.
“His record as a player was exemplary and his loyalty indisputable.
“As a bowler, his massive hand and iron grip meant he could spin the ball prodigiously, but on the slow wickets of the south, he preferred to bowl flatter and quicker and use the seam to cut the ball. He was held in high regard by many of his opponents.
“Jim put in a huge amount of work for Petersfield Cricket Club. He coached all of the Colts for many years, looked after the ground, did umpteen jobs on the pavilion, attended every function and was available for every match, whatever day it was.”
Long time Petersfield and Hampshire Seniors’ team-mate Chris Wood recalled: “Jim was a man of action, not a talker. He was incredibly hard-working, loyal, generous with his time and extremely stubborn. Nothing could dissuade him once his mind was made-up.
“His record as a player was exemplary and his loyalty indisputable.
“As a bowler, his massive hand and iron grip meant he could spin the ball prodigiously, but on the slow wickets of the south, he preferred to bowl flatter and quicker and use the seam to cut the ball. He was held in high regard by many of his opponents.
“Jim put in a huge amount of work for Petersfield Cricket Club. He coached all of the Colts for many years, looked after the ground, did umpteen jobs on the pavilion, attended every function and was available for every match, whatever day it was.”
Hampshire CA NCA County finalists v Scotland 1990
A long time member of the XL Club, he captained the Hants & Sussex Borderers on countless August West Country tours, also managing the successful Hampshire Cricket Association and Cricket Board representative side for ten years or more.
Under his tutelage, the HCA team twice reached the NCA inter-county final, initially losing to Scotland in Glasgow, before winning it the following summer, beating powerful Staffordshire by seven wickets in the 1991 final at Wolverhampton.
In 1999 (as the Hampshire Cricket Board) they also progressed to the third round of the NatWest Trophy beating Suffolk and Shropshire en route before losing to Glamorgan at Northlands Road.
He subsequently became an integral playing member of the Hampshire Seniors, representing the County throughout the 50s, 60s and 70s age groups, for whom he played for a final time in 2019.
An inveterate tourist, Jim was a key figure on Seniors’ trips to Malaysia, Australia, Sri Lanka, South Africa and Barbados.
Under his tutelage, the HCA team twice reached the NCA inter-county final, initially losing to Scotland in Glasgow, before winning it the following summer, beating powerful Staffordshire by seven wickets in the 1991 final at Wolverhampton.
In 1999 (as the Hampshire Cricket Board) they also progressed to the third round of the NatWest Trophy beating Suffolk and Shropshire en route before losing to Glamorgan at Northlands Road.
He subsequently became an integral playing member of the Hampshire Seniors, representing the County throughout the 50s, 60s and 70s age groups, for whom he played for a final time in 2019.
An inveterate tourist, Jim was a key figure on Seniors’ trips to Malaysia, Australia, Sri Lanka, South Africa and Barbados.
Hampshire Sixties, Jim (back centre) pictured with Geoff Owen and Stan Rudder.
Jim was the all-time leading wicket taker for the County vets, with well in excess of 200 victims in all competitions and features prominently in the nationwide top ten in 60s and 70s cricket with a total of 171 wickets. On his day, his flighted left-arm spin was almost unplayable.
Smallbone’s constant success with Hampshire was rewarded with an international call-up in 2009, when he shone with the ball, bowling economical spells in England’s two Sixties ‘Ashes’ victories against the touring Australians, and a 4-22 return in a preceding nine-wicket win over Wales at Liphook & Ripsley.
Two winters later he was selected for the return ‘Ashes’ series in Australia and twice ripped through the Aussie middle-orders with telling three-wicket spells.
Ironically, his career – and his life – very nearly ended a year later in June 2012 when he suffered a cardiac arrest and collapsed at the crease while batting in a Hampshire 60s match against Sussex at Middleton.
By a freak of remarkable good fortune, the Sussex wicketkeeper Mick Tindall, a late replacement, was a full qualified paramedic and saved Jim’s life.
He was air-lifted to hospital, recovered and was back playing cricket – and taking wickets - again in 2013 – and for another six years !
It was a truly remarkable comeback by a guy of boundless energy whose contribution to Hampshire recreational cricket was enormous.
Smallbone’s constant success with Hampshire was rewarded with an international call-up in 2009, when he shone with the ball, bowling economical spells in England’s two Sixties ‘Ashes’ victories against the touring Australians, and a 4-22 return in a preceding nine-wicket win over Wales at Liphook & Ripsley.
Two winters later he was selected for the return ‘Ashes’ series in Australia and twice ripped through the Aussie middle-orders with telling three-wicket spells.
Ironically, his career – and his life – very nearly ended a year later in June 2012 when he suffered a cardiac arrest and collapsed at the crease while batting in a Hampshire 60s match against Sussex at Middleton.
By a freak of remarkable good fortune, the Sussex wicketkeeper Mick Tindall, a late replacement, was a full qualified paramedic and saved Jim’s life.
He was air-lifted to hospital, recovered and was back playing cricket – and taking wickets - again in 2013 – and for another six years !
It was a truly remarkable comeback by a guy of boundless energy whose contribution to Hampshire recreational cricket was enormous.
Tributes have been paid to Jim Smallbone, who is pictured (by The News) gobbling up a catch with his bucket-like hands. Among the tributes are -
Havant CC: It is with great sadness we learn of Jim's passing after a short illness. Jim was a great member of Havant and a great role model and many players will have fond memories playing alongside him.
Keith Lovelock, Hook & Newnham Basics: Nice Guy. Will be missed. RIP Jim
David Metcalfe, Rowledge : Very sad, remember his devoted service with East Hants Youth League.
John Holloway: Very sad. I have many happy memories playing against Jim
Roger Miller: Thank you Jim. Loved my time with the Cricket board
Ian Chivers:Jim leaves a legacy that many would do well to follow. Onward to yr next "flighted" wicket !
Peter Tapper: Lovely guy, great company and an extremely talented cricketer who supported local cricket beyond the call of duty.
Jonathan Hardy: Sad news - A great Hampshire cricket man. Sincere condolences to the family.
Gregg Pullin (Bob’ son): Grew up watching Jim spin bowl on The Heath with PCC in the 70’s. Really sad news and my thoughts are with his family and friends
Richard Edwards: Very sad to hear of Jim’s passing a lovely man, and an incredible servant to cricket
Derek Candy, XL Club: A great man both on and off the field. Played many XL Club matches with him and great company on and off the field. Will be missed by cricketers everywhere.
Chris Yates, Rowledge: Gentleman Jim.
Jeremy Frith, Sparsholt: A passionate supporter of cricket in Hampshire and a good man. Another sad loss and a wonderful contribution to celebrate.
Richard Kenway: A local cricketing legend and an absolute gentlemen.
Roly Walton, Surrey: Very sad will be hugely missed by all who knew him and condolences from all at Surrey Seniors.
Alan Bundy: Lovely guy, but his handshake was to be avoided !
Unbeknown to many outside of his close circle of friends, Jim was a steam railway buff and had just finished building a model railway track at his Petersfield home when he was admitted to hospital last weekend.
Havant CC: It is with great sadness we learn of Jim's passing after a short illness. Jim was a great member of Havant and a great role model and many players will have fond memories playing alongside him.
Keith Lovelock, Hook & Newnham Basics: Nice Guy. Will be missed. RIP Jim
David Metcalfe, Rowledge : Very sad, remember his devoted service with East Hants Youth League.
John Holloway: Very sad. I have many happy memories playing against Jim
Roger Miller: Thank you Jim. Loved my time with the Cricket board
Ian Chivers:Jim leaves a legacy that many would do well to follow. Onward to yr next "flighted" wicket !
Peter Tapper: Lovely guy, great company and an extremely talented cricketer who supported local cricket beyond the call of duty.
Jonathan Hardy: Sad news - A great Hampshire cricket man. Sincere condolences to the family.
Gregg Pullin (Bob’ son): Grew up watching Jim spin bowl on The Heath with PCC in the 70’s. Really sad news and my thoughts are with his family and friends
Richard Edwards: Very sad to hear of Jim’s passing a lovely man, and an incredible servant to cricket
Derek Candy, XL Club: A great man both on and off the field. Played many XL Club matches with him and great company on and off the field. Will be missed by cricketers everywhere.
Chris Yates, Rowledge: Gentleman Jim.
Jeremy Frith, Sparsholt: A passionate supporter of cricket in Hampshire and a good man. Another sad loss and a wonderful contribution to celebrate.
Richard Kenway: A local cricketing legend and an absolute gentlemen.
Roly Walton, Surrey: Very sad will be hugely missed by all who knew him and condolences from all at Surrey Seniors.
Alan Bundy: Lovely guy, but his handshake was to be avoided !
Unbeknown to many outside of his close circle of friends, Jim was a steam railway buff and had just finished building a model railway track at his Petersfield home when he was admitted to hospital last weekend.
