George Hill was proud and stunned in equal measures after being capped by Yorkshire this morning, England star Jonny Bairstow presenting him with cap number 192.
The 23-year-old all-rounder was surrounded by team-mates, family members and Yorkshire staff in Headingley’s Hawke Suite as rain fell outside to delay the start of the Vitality County Championship match against Northamptonshire.
Hill’s family, including mother Gayle and father Kevin, were informed earlier this week, but this was a complete surprise to George himself.
He said: “It’s unbelievable, and I’m a bit lost for words.
“I didn’t expect it at all until I walked in and my mother had a video camera about an inch from my face. That kind of gave it away a little bit. It’s completely out of the blue, and it’s a special feeling.
“As a kid growing up, I just wanted to play for Yorkshire. When I started playing a bit more cricket, this was always in the back of my mind.
Picture by John Heald. George Hill and family at Headingley this morning. From left to right: Grandma Betty, Godmother Julie, mother Gayle and father Kevin.
“There are not many players who’ve been capped by Yorkshire. You look at the great players on the board, and to be on that board is quite humbling.
“If I can have half the career that some of those boys have had, I’ll be extremely happy.”
On having his family present, Hill continued: “It was very nice.
“My Nanna’s here, and her husband – my grandad – was a huge Yorkshire fan. He passed away a couple of years ago, but I’m sure he’s looking down very happy. I’m very proud.”
And on being presented his cap by Bairstow, the pair having shared a double century stand on this ground against Middlesex earlier this month, Hill said: “That was pretty cool.
“Jonny’s had an unbelievable career with plenty of ups and a few downs.
Picture by John Heald. George Hill and family at Headingley this morning. From left to right: Grandma Betty, godmother Julie, aunty Amanda, mother Gayle, father Kevin, brother Freddie and Julie’s partner Julian.
“His resilience, I’ve never seen anything like it. When people slag him off in the media and all around, he comes back and is phenomenal. Having him around the last month has been unbelievable.”
Hill, the former England Under 19, is ending the season with a bang.
In the last couple of months, he has taken six-wicket hauls in both one-day and Championship cricket, posting scores of 169 not out and 90 in the latter format.
His career best 169 came in that aforementioned Middlesex game, while his 90 came in the first innings of last week’s win over Glamorgan at Cardiff. There are many onlookers who believe the latter was a better innings.
“I’m glad I’ve finished this season well,” he continued.
“My form was a bit indifferent with the bat through the middle of the year. But now we’re on a promotion charge, it’s really nice to have contributed to the last four or five wins.
Picture by Allan McKenzie/SWpix.com. Jonny Bairstow handed George Hill his cap this morning.
“The environment’s amazing. Playing with these boys doesn’t really feel like a job at the minute. It’s so much fun, and I hope it continues for a long time.
Hill’s experience is gaining rapidly having debuted for the county during the 2020 Covid summer.
“I’ve played nearly 100 games in all formats,” he said. “I’m still young in age, but I’ve played quite a bit of cricket and want to take that responsibility of being a more senior player.
“Especially the Glamorgan game (90), I wasn’t thinking about my own personal milestone.
“All I was thinking about was the team and trying to get as many bonus points as possible. That really helped the way I batted.”
This was a special way to start what could be a memorable week for Hill and Yorkshire Cricket.
Picture by John Heald. George Hill attacks against spin at Sophia Gardens last week.
“It would cap an unbelievable week,” he said, before speaking about career progression and future England ambitions.
“I was joking with Tatts, and he said, ‘You’ve got the chance to be capped and go up in the same game’. He got his and got relegated.
“If we go up this week and give the coaching staff the send-off they deserve, it will be a good night Sunday night.
“They’re definitely not at the forefront (England ambitions).
“The forefront is trying to win games of cricket for Yorkshire. But every player wants to play for England, and hopefully this day gives me a bit more confidence.”
