Accountant survives an over with Plunkett

Face-off: Steve Denison faces an over of pace bowling from Liam Plunkett. Picture by Simon Wilkinson/SWpix.com

PwC accountant Steve Denison, chairman of Yorkshire County Cricket Club, had to defend a wicket, and himself, against an over of bowling from express paceman Liam Plunkett at Headingley.

The 51-year-old put himself in harm’s way at the behest of internet entrepreneur Peter Wilkinson, chief executive of Intechnology plc, as part of a contract to provide WiFi for the stadium in Leeds.

If Mr Denison was expecting an easy ride from Plunkett, who has 13 Test caps for England, he was in for a shock with the bowler declaring, “I’ve only got one mode.”

Ramping up the pressure on Denison in the slips were Yorkshire and England batsmen Joe Root and Adam Lyth, who provided a volley of sledging as he took to the crease.

The over from Plunkett shot by in a blur and saw Mr Denison having to duck and dive a bouncer.

The good-natured exercise under clear blue skies raised an estimated £5,000 for the Yorkshire Cricket Foundation.

YCCC has signed a 10-year contract with Intechnology plc for the delivery of free WiFi coverage across Headingley Cricket Ground.

Mr Wilkinson said: “Believe it or not, the contract to provide the WiFi at Headingley was not all about seeing Steve Denison be put through his paces out in the middle at the hands of Liam Plunkett.

“As an avid cricket fan myself, I know how much of an enhancement having free WiFi available during a game will be – whether it is for following the game on digital radio, or making your pals jealous with a photo sent from your smartphone.”