I CAN’T understand why Yorkshire County Cricket Club captain Andrew Gale is making such a fuss over the issue that Gary Verity has not been awarded an MBE, CBE or knighthood for his services to Welcome to Yorkshire and the Tour de France.

I was fortunate to meet Mr Verity and chat with him at the Scarborough Cricket Festival 2014, when he confirmed to me that he is a second cousin to Hedley Verity.

Hedley was one of Yorkshire and England’s all-time greatest bowlers. Among his many great achievements were that he had the unique distinction of claiming the wicket more times than any other bowler in test match cricket, of the greatest batsman the world has ever seen.

A quote from Sir Donald Bradman: “Hedley had no breaking point. Unfortunately, Hedley never received any accolades for his great achievements as he gave his life for king and country while serving as a captain in the Green Howards during the Second World War.”

Another England bowling legend, Harold Larwood, who played in the same team as Hedley in the early 1930s, had to wait 61 years before he received his OBE.

There is no doubt in my mind that Mr Verity (Gary) will, in the not too distant future, receive his just reward.

Until then he can proudly hold his head up high and say without fear or contradiction, “I am Hedley Verity’s second cousin”.

Mike Kitching, Old Malton