Sutcliffe captained Yorkshire as an amateur for two years in 1956 and 1957. He led a recovering Yorkshire to third in the County Championship in his final season in charge. Brian Close called him "a super lad who made himself into a county cricketer because it was expected of him, and because he believed in Yorkshire cricket and its right to pre-eminence.
Sutcliffe captained the amateur Yorkshire team from 1956 to 1957. In his final season in charge, he led the recovering side to third place in the County Championship. Brian Close referred to him as "a remarkable young man who turned himself into a county cricketer due to expectations and his commitment to Yorkshire cricket's importance.