If South Africa's captain Hansie Cronje hits another Test century over the next few days at Headingley and Allan Donald weighs in with a further crop of wickets, then part of the blame can be laid at the door of former Yorkshire batsman, Neil Hartley, now resurrecting his playing career at Pudsey Congs.

For Hartley, 42, was responsible more than anyone else for spotting 28-year-old Cronje's batting talent as a schoolboy and then coaching him into becoming one of the world's leading players.

And at the same time, Hartley also gave some coaching advice to Donald who, like his captain, was born in Bloemfontein and went on to play for Orange Free State.

Hartley spent a couple of English winters playing for OFS in the early 80s when he also played club cricket in the Bloemfontein area and was involved in coaching.

"Arnie Sidebottom and Bill Athey were with me the first year and then I went out with Simon Dennis," said Hartley.

"During that time I got to know Hansie's father, Ewie, very well, and my coaching duties got me involved with Grey College which is one of the biggest schools in Bloemfontein and it was there that I came across Hansie, who was 12 at the time, and his elder brother Franz.

"I was asked to coach the OFS Under 13s side, which Hansie captained, and during my second visit there the team won all five of their matches for the very first time in the National Week competition in Durban.

"So I suppose I had a certain influence on Hansie's career and I also did some coaching with Donald who was at another school.

"I stayed for a short while with Hansie's family in Bloemfontein and they are all lovely people and we have become firm friends. Franz also played for OFS and then Border and last year he came over to have a season with Todmorden.

"I have been in touch with Hansie and have invited him over for a meal tonight but it will be pretty hectic for him during the Test and if we don't meet up now then we certainly will next week when South Africa are at Headingley for a one-day match on Wednesday against a First Class Counties' Select XI."

It's all happening this week for Hartley who on Sunday will be playing for Pudsey Congs against East Bierley in the Sovereign Health Care Priestley Cup final at Undercliffe.

Hartley has already played in four Priestley Cup finals for Bingley, the last one being 19 years' ago when he was the victorious captain.

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