A plea to look for lost cricket balls during matches was made at the Mewies Solicitors Craven League’s December meeting at Skipton LMS Sports Club.

Telegraph & Argus reporter Bill Marshall, who plays for Bingley Congs’ second team, said: “Too much time is being lost hunting for cricket balls because not enough players are willing to look for them.

“It is a common courtesy to the fielding side to look for a lost ball when your team is batting but too many players these days seem more interested in texting or looking at the latest info on their phones.

“If everybody was as good as Glusburn’s ‘Rummy’ (Richard) Smith, then I wouldn’t need to bring this up.

“It is equally as valid a point in the Upper Airedale Junior League, where time is more of an issue as matches are played in the evenings.”