A plaque is to be erected near his birthplace in Thirsk of George Macauley, one of Yorkshire's greatest ever bowlers.

The plaque will be unveiled by Yorkshire statistician Roy Wilkinson at a ceremony in the market town on March 8, which will be attended by Yorkshire chairman Robin Smith and other club officials.

The placing of the plaque is being jointly organised by Thirsk Town Council, Sowerby Parish Council and Hambleton District Council.

Macauley, uncle of former Yorkshire secretary Joe Lister, was born in Thirsk on December 7, 1897. He died in 1940 after contracting pneumonia while on duty with the RAF in the Shetland Islands.

A medium fast bowler who later changed to off-breaks, Macauley played in 445 matches for Yorkshire between 1920-35 and captured 1,774 wickets - a number surpassed by only three players in the club's history. He also played in eight Tests for England between 1922-33, taking 24 wickets.

Updated: 09:53 Wednesday, February 15, 2006