Geoffrey Alan Cope (born 23 February 1947) played first-class cricket for Yorkshire from 1966 to 1980,[1] and appeared in three Test matches for England.
[3] Cricket writer, Colin Bateman, noted that "Geoff Cope's career was blighted by suspicions that his off-spinner's action was illegal and twice – in 1972 and 1978 – he was suspended by Lord's.
[2] He worked on his action with the Yorkshire spinner Johnny Wardle[2] and, after good seasons in 1974 and 1975, played in an England Test trial at Bristol in May 1976.
Ken Barrington, manager of the England team on his second tour, remarked that Cope was more accurate than Derek Underwood.
[citation needed] He was not a big spinner of the ball, preferring to build pressure on a batsman through denying him scoring opportunities.
The weakness of the Yorkshire team in the 1970s, often forced him to bowl long defensive spells against his natural attacking instincts.
He almost took a hat-trick on his Test debut: he dismissed Abdul Qadir leg before wicket, then bowled Sarfraz Nawaz first ball.
Iqqie left the field and all the lads were up there when suddenly Brears started saying, ‘I’m going to bring him back because I don't think I caught it cleanly.'
"[citation needed] Cope began his playing career wearing glasses and, in 1972, turned to contact lenses.
Further deterioration in his sight left him officially registered blind, but though his peripheral vision is very poor, he can still see directly in front of him and watch play on the field.