Wisden
1944

Obituaries in 1943

ASHTON, MR. HUBERT SHORROCK, father of the three Cambridge Captains, Hubert, Gilbert and the late Claude T. Ashton, died on June 10 in his 82nd year. A strong supporter of cricket, he was president of the Essex County Club from 1936 until his death. Keenly interested in the welfare of the working youth of London, Mr. Ashton two years before the war secured the lease of a 50-acre area at Woodford, Essex, and was mainly responsible for having it turned into a modern sports field, with a play-ground for the younger children. The Duke and Duchess of Gloucester formally opened the ground, which is called the Ashton Playing Fields, and planted trees to commemorate the occasion. Mr. Winston Churchill and the late Mr. Ramsay MacDonald attended the ceremony.

BASSETT, MR. HUBERT, who died at Oxford on June 13, aged 74, gained his University Blue in 1889 and played three times against Cambridge, being on the losing side on each occasion. During his university carrier Oxford went through a very lean period on the cricket field, winning only twice in 32 matches. Bassett bowled and batted left-hand. His easy medium-paced deliveries always commanded respect. In the 1888 Freshmen's Match he took nine wickets, but, though tried in the eleven, did not receive his Blue until the next season, when he bowled finely at Lord's, dismissing five men in 37 overs at a cost of 65 runs in a total of 300.

For Cambridge, winners by an innings and 105 runs, S. M. J. Woods returned the splendid analysis of eleven wickets for 84 runs. Cambridge, with Gregor MacGregor, H. J. Mordaunt, Eustace Crawley, F. S. Jackson and E. C. Streatfeild among their noted players, were very strong at that period, but, thanks to fine bowling by G. F. H. Berkeley and Bassett, on his last appearance, Oxford lost the 1891 match by only two wickets--an example of how a side could pull the game round after following-on. Bassett was at Bedford House school, Oxford, and he played a good deal for the County; against Cambridgeshire in 1893 he scored 93 and took 13 wickets for 70 runs. He adopted the scholastic profession.

BENCRAFT, SIR RUSSELL HENRY WILLIAM, J.P., M.R.C.S., L.R.C.P., one of the most prominent citizens of Southampton for many years, and always devoted to cricket, died on Christmas Day at Compton near Winchester, aged 85, six months after his left leg was amputated above the knee. Born is Southampton on March 4, 1858, he lived there until his residence was destroyed by enemy action.

In the local playing fields as a boy he grew fond of the game, and at St. Edward's School, Oxford, he captained both cricket and football teams, as he did at St. George's Hospital, while as scrum-half he showed to advantage for Trojans, then the best Hampshire Rugby club.

A long biography in the Southern Daily Echo, of which Sir Russell Bencraft was chairman of directors, among several business offices which he held, mentioned his batting ability when a student at the Hospital. Most remarkable was the feat of playing a three-figure innings on every day of one week, including one of 243, and only being dismissed once.

No one did more towards advancing Hampshire in the world of cricket. Playing first for the County in 1876, when 18, he helped to beat Kent at Faversham by an innings and six runs. Three years later he took a prominent part in saving the County Club from extinction by becoming Honorary Secretary, and during a period of sixty years he occupied every office, including that of President, which he held when retiring from close participation in the game in 1936. He succeeded F. E. Lacey captain in 1894, and, as the outcome of their good work, Hampshire were in the autumn ranked by M.C.C. as first-class for the season, but did not enter the championship competition until the next year, together with Derbyshire, Essex, Leicestershire and Warwickshire. So, quite appropriately, he captained the side when first taking part in the chief county tournament, but in 1896 gave way to Captain E. G. Wynyard; and taking part in only three matches, ended his active career when 37 years old, largely because of his medical duties. Always known as Dr. Russell Bencraft in those days, his best playing years were enjoyed before Hampshire's promotion, and in 1889, when he averaged 53, his most noteworthy innings, 195 against Warwickshire at Birmingham, was the highest played for any county that season.

Russell Bencraft helped materially in the move of the county club form The Antelope to the ground still the headquarters of Hampshire cricket. Among a big store of reminiscences he found most satisfaction in recalling that he led Hampshire to victory by two wickets over Yorkshire at Sheffield in 1895; though scoring only four in each innings he was not out when the match was won.

Of medium height and robust build, he bowled fast as a youth and fielded with dash, usually at cover-point; but batting alone brought him real prominence and he was losing form when regularly facing strong opposition. As a legislator he was a valuable acquisition in all sports. For many years a member of the M.C.C. Committee; he was first president of the Southern Football League and held a similar position in the Hampshire Rugby Union and the Southampton Civil Service Sports Association, founded in 1923. He was knighted in 1924.

The Hampshire club entertained him to a Diamond Jubilee Banquet in January 1937, Sir Stanley Jackson and many cricketers of high repute being present, while G. O. Allen, captain of the England team, cabled congratulations from Adelaide, where the fourth Test match with Australia was in progress.

BOWLEY, FREDERICK LLOYD, a leading batsman for Worcestershire during twenty-three years at the beginning of this century, died at Worcester on May 31 in his 68th year. Considering that his rise to fame coincided with the most brilliant seasons of H. K. and R. E. Foster, besides other brothers of the famous family, Bowley can be placed among the best batsmen of his time. Frequently he headed the Worcestershire averages, and in many partnerships he proved the heavier scorer, while in style and craftsmanship he bore comparison with his most talented colleagues. As an opening batsman, possessing strong defence and punishing power all round the wicket, he was of high value, and it seems remarkable that he never found favour for an Australian or South African tour or for an England eleven at home; but at that time several distinguished opening batsmen took priority--A. C. MacLaren, C. B. Fry, R. H. Spooner, L. C. H. Palairet, Robert Abel, Tom Hayward and Len Braund come to mind, while Sir Stanley Jackson could be depended upon for any place in the batting order. So the chief honours that fell to Fred Bowley were some appearances for the Players.

Captain of his school eleven when very young, Fred Bowley played for Heanor and Derbyshire Colts when only fourteen. Deciding to adopt cricket professionally, he qualified for Worcestershire, and in 1900, when 24 years old, he created a very favourable impression during his first full season of county cricket. H. K. Foster alone scored more runs for Worcestershire, and Bowley came fifth in the averages with 24.94 for an aggregate of 948. So well did he maintain and improve on that form that he made more than a thousand runs in fourteen different seasons, while in 1922 he really completed his career, when 47, with 974 runs, before going to Glamorgan as coach, though appearing once next season. Altogether in first-class cricket he scored 21,121 runs with an average of 29.62. Anywhere in the field he proved his worth by saving runs and holding difficult catches.

Bowley gave a clear evidence of ability directly he became a regular member of the Worcestershire XI, and 118 in May 1900 against Hampshire was the first of 38 three-figure innings which he played. Three times he went into the third hundred, and in 1914 at Dudley his 276, also at the expense of Hampshire, gave him the distinction of being the highest scorer of all time for his county. He made those runs in four hours fifty minutes, beginning with 100 out of 148 in 100 minutes before lunch. Bowley showed a marked partiality for the Hampshire attack, playing altogether eight three-figure innings against that county, and his last century was hit at Southampton in August 1922. Invariably scoring very freely when set, he enjoyed many long opening partnerships. At Derby in 1901 he contributed 140 out of 309 with H. K. Foster, 152, in the biggest first-wicket stand for the county. Twelve years later, with F. Pearson (106), Bowley (201) again saw three hundred on the board before losing his partner at 306, and the same pair were credited with 249 against Warwickshire in 1910, while 274 came at Portsmouth in 1907 from Bowley and H. K. Foster (152). Another exceptional stand with H. K. was 250 for the second wicket against Somerset in 1903, the runs being added in 100 minutes.

Perhaps his most wonderful effort was in 1913 at Edgbaston when none of the Fosters played and he scored 177 in two hours forty minutes--136 out of 200 for three wickets before lunch in two hours; 38 was the only double-figure score, and in a second innings collapse he did best with 24 out of 74. Bowley often fared well against the Northern counties, and at Worcester in 1905 his 151 out of 222 in four hours off Hirst, Rhodes and Haigh, the great Yorkshire bowlers, was a grand performance, 27 being the next best effort in a total 295 when 361 were wanted for victory. He hit 63 and 73 at Dewsbury in 1901, when the Yorkshire bowlers won a keen fight, his second effort coming out of 125; he was sixth out and the last four wickets fell for 17 runs.

At Worcester in 1907 he, with 95, and H. K. Foster, 73, hit off 170, Lancashire being beaten by ten wickets. Besides his engagement with Glamorgan, Fred Bowley coached at different times at Repton, Haileybury and St. Paul's schools, and in South Africa.

BURROWS, RICHARD D., who helped Worcestershire rise to first-class rank in 1899 and still played for the county in 1919, died at his home, East wood, Nottinghamshire, in February, aged 70. Of good height and robust build, Burrows bowled fast right-hand with good action, and batted well enough to warrant the description of an all-round cricketer. In 1901 he took 96 wickets and twice exactly a hundred for the county, in 1910 at average of 23.46 and 1913 at 21.41, being far the best man in his county's attack each year. When Worcestershire tied with Yorkshire for second place to Nottinghamshire in the 1907 championship, Burrows scored 112 against Gloucestershire at Worcester and with the bat averaged 25.28, but his bowling fell to 57 wickets at 24 runs apiece. Worcestershire twice beat Yorkshire that season, Arnold and Cuffe being their great bowlers on each occasion; Burrows was wanted in only one innings, taking three wickets for 63 runs and finishing off the match at Worcester. Arnold and Cuffe on that occasion took 16 wickets between them, and at Bradford in August they bowled unchanged throughout the match, Cuffe, by dismissing nine men in the second innings, sharing the match honours with Arnold--ten wickets each. Burrows scored his second first-class century also against Gloucestershire, 107 not out at Worcester in July 1914, when he batted number ten. Sir Home Gordon's Form at a Glance shows that Burrows scored 5,183 runs, average 14.01, took 805 wickets at 29.32 runs apiece, and held 132 catches--mostly at the old-fashioned point position. He created a first-class record in 1911 by sending a bail 67 yards 6 inches from the stumps when he bowled Huddleston at Old Trafford. In 1923 he was chosen as a first-class umpire and served during nine seasons, his bulky figure bending over the stumps at the bowler's end suggesting the happiness and close attention with which he carried out his duty.

BUTLER, MR. ARTHUR HUGH MONTAGU, member of a well-known cricketing family, died in London on May 28, aged 69. He was in the Harrow XI of 1890, and at Lord's against Eton he made 19, helping his captain, A. C. MacLaren, 76, in the only stand of the innings, which closed for 133--a lead of 25 in a match ruined by rain on the first day. In the whole season Butler, 18, finished second to MacLaren in the batting averages, the captain, with 42, being in a class by himself. He and W. F. G. Wyndham won the Public Schools Racquets Championship at Queen's Club in the same year. Arthur Butler became Librarian to the House of Lords.

CECIL, COLONEL LORD WILLIAM, C.V.O., died on April 17, aged 88. He was the second oldest member of M.C.C. and in seniority of election to F. A. Mackinnon. Both were elected in 1870--Mackinnon a few months earlier than Cecil. A useful player at Eton, William Cecil did not get a place in the XI.

COOPER, MR. CHARLES OSBORN, who died on November 23, aged 75, played a little for Kent in the seasons 1894 to 1896. He was in the Dulwich College XI, 1885-86, being a steady bat, medium-paced bowler, and good slip fieldsman, though handicapped by ill-health.

DRYDEN, MR. CHARLES HENRY, died at Russell, Auckland, on July 1, aged 81. A right-hand slow bowler, he helped the Star Club twice win the senior championship in Wellington, and thus secure the silver cup presented by Colonel Edward Pearce. One of his best performances was against Nelson in 1886. When the game seemed lost, he and Arthur Motley, a Yorkshireman, added 72 runs, and Nelson were left with 64 to win. As W. J. Ford, the famous hitter, then Principal of Nelson College, led the Nelson team, this seemed well within reach, but Dryden took 12 wickets for 93 against Canterbury, and in 1891, against the same side, 11 for 56. Dryden played for Wellington against the Australian XI of 1886 and the English team of 1888.

ELAM, MR. FRED W., who died on March 19, aged 71, scored 28 when playing once for Yorkshire in 1900. He appeared a few times in the next two seasons, while during the last war he showed his batting skill when making 86 for the county against an England XI--the first match of the Bradford holiday week in August 1918; he and Percy Holmes opened for Yorkshire with a stand of 107. He was then captain of the Leeds club.

FARMER, REV. MALCOLM STUART, who died on June 10 at Datchet, aged 70, played in the 1891 Eton XI and for Trinity College, Cambridge, which he represented in Lawn Tennis Doubles against Oxford in 1896.

FAWKES, REV. WALTER HAWKSWORTH, M.C., died at Finghall Rectory, Wensleydale, on September 20, aged 67. He played in the 1895 Uppingham XI and for Yorkshire Gentlemen.

FEAR, MR. H. P., who played twice for Somerset in 1934 and was in the Taunton School XI, died early in the year.

FINCH, MR. ALFRED, who died on May 13, aged 72, was in the Haileybury XI of 1889, and played for Jesus College, Cambridge, without being in the running for a Blue. For Norfolk he made occasional appearances, and also was good at golf.

FOLKES, CAPTAIN WILLIAM HENRY, who had been in ill-health for sometime, died at his home at Broxbourne on October 9, aged 65. After fighting in the Boer War, serving in China, and during 1914-18 as a staff captain with the Royal Engineers in France, he was well known in the business world as managing director of Nissen Buildings (Hoddesdon), originators of the Nissen huts. A keen follower of cricket, he became closely linked with the game in 1941, when he succeeded J. B. Hobbs as President of the London Counties Cricket Eleven. Although suffering from heart trouble, he refused to be a figurehead and took a very active part in the affairs of the club. Quiet and unassuming, he was extremely generous to those who deserved help. For six years he was President of the British Legion at Hoddesdon, and the high esteem in which he was held there was shown by remarkably large congregation that attended the funeral and followed the cortége to the cemetery.

GAINFORD, LORD, who died at Headlam Hall, near Darlington, on February 15, aged 83, captained Durham County Club form 1886 to 1891, and continued playing cricket until he was 74, when, as he wrote to Mr. Bulmer, secretary of Durham County C.C., Inability to take a quick run forced me to give up the game. His last innings was 9 not out. Joseph Albert Pease, known as Jack, joined the county club on its formation in 1882 and was the oldest member. He played for the county until 1892, having a batting average of nearly 19, and he kept wicket. In 1878 he went to Cambridge, captained Trinity College cricket eleven, played in the polo team, was master of the drag hounds, and sometimes played Rugby for the University without getting his Blue. One of the proudest moments of his life, he used to relate, was when I took a catch in the outfield off W. G. Grace, who shook me by the hand. That was in a match for M.C.C., of which he was a member for many years.]

During thirty-four years in the House of Commons he became Postmaster-General, President of the Board of Education, Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, and Chief Liberal Whip. He was raised to the Peerage in 1916 and took an active part in House of Lords debates. Shortly before his death he recalled an occasion in the Commons some fifty years ago when a fray arose over the Home Rule for Ireland Bill, and he used the Rugby tackle to keep Dr. Tanner out of the maul until John Burns separated the combatants.

GARRETT, MR. THOMAS WILLIAM, the oldest surviving Australian Test player, died at Sydney on August 6, aged 85. A very fine hard-wicket bowler, a capital field, and a punishing if not dependable batsman, he took part in the two matches against James Lillywhite's all-professional team in March and April 1877, after which he came to England with first Australian team in 1878, and also in 1882 and 1886. Thus he served under three different captains--David Gregory, W. L. Murdoch and H. J. H. Scott. When Australia in March 1877 won by 45 runs what years after was styled the first Test match he scored 19 not out and 0, and took two wickets for 81, while in the return, which Lillywhite's team won by four wickets, he scored 12 and 18 but earned no success with the ball. Really his first experience of meeting the full strength of England was in the historic 1882 encounter at the Oval where Australia won by seven runs, but his share in The Ashes triumph was small--12 runs for once out and one wicket for 32 runs.

The 1878 team altogether played as touring side for fourteen months. Opening with a series of matches in Australia, they went through the season in England, then followed with a trip to America, while a second series of games in Australia concluded the enterprise before the side disbanded. The huge programme of seventy-seven engagements was gone through by practically eleven men, for Midwinter, who they hoped would assist them regularly in England, had signed an agreement with Gloucestershire, and, after appearing for the Australians on a few occasions, was carried off from Lord's to the Oval by W. G. Grace and J. A. Bush, and he did not take the field again as a member of the touring side. For that combination in England Garrett claimed 38 wickets for 10 runs apiece in eleven-a-side games--twenty of the fixtures were against odds. His record during the fourteen months in all matches showed 291 wickets for 5 runs each.

Four years later--1882--when contests with 18's and 22's no longer figured on the programme arranged for the Australians, Garrett took 128 wickets for under 14 runs apiece, and in 1886 his record was 123 wickets for something over 18 runs each. Possessed of a nice easy action, he made good use of his height--nearly six feet--and so came fast off the pitch. He bowled above medium-pace and under favourable conditions could turn the ball either way, while he sent down a very telling yorker, but got most of his wickets with the ball which pitched just outside the off-stump and went away slightly. On hard ground many good judges regarded him as more effective than Spofforth or Boyle.

In the 1878 tour he took ten Middlesex wickets at Lord's for 82 runs, and at Prince's he disposed of seven Players of England for 41 runs. Four years later among his best performances were seven Surrey wickets for 31 runs and twelve Kent wickets for 120, while in four matches which the Australians played with Yorkshire 27 wickets fell to him for 9 runs apiece. In 1886 his successes included seven wickets for 40 against Lord Sheffield's XI, seven for 47 in the first of two games with Gentlemen of England, seven for 84 against Yorkshire, and seven for 82 at Bradford against the Players. In nineteen matches for Australia against England he took 36 wickets and scored 340 runs.

During his three visits to England Garrett's highest innings was 59 against Northumberland in 1882; at Sydney in 1885 his 51 not out contributed largely to Australia beating England by six runs. In his 35th year, when the Sheffield Shield was instituted in 1892, he appeared for New South Wales in only seventeen competition matches, scoring 776 runs, highest innings 131, average 26.75 but taking only five wickets at the very high cost of 62 runs apiece.

Born at Woolongong, near Sydney, on July 26, 1858, Garrett was educated at Newington College, Sydney, and at Sydney University, where he earned distinction as a sprinter. A solicitor by profession, he held the position of Public Trustee in Sydney. On the occasion of his diamond wedding celebration on March 25, 1939, the M.C.C. sent him a congratulatory message on behalf of all cricketers in England, where he enjoyed great popularity, as he did in Australia.

GIBSON, MR. ARCHIBALD LESLEY, died in Gilzil Hospital, Kenya, on July 29, aged 65. A member of the Winchester XI, 1894 to 1896, he played a lot of cricket in Ceylon, where he was a tea planter.

GRIBBLE, MR. HERBERT WILLIS REGINALD, died at Teddington on June 12, aged 82. He captained Clifton in 1878, his second season in the XI, and played for Gloucestershire from 1878 to 1882 without doing anything of note, though at school he opened the batting and showed good free style. He played Rugby football for Gloucestershire.

HAMMOND, MR. GEORGE WILLIAM, chairman and past-president of Club Cricket Conference, died on July 13, aged 68. A very good all-round cricketer for the Hornsey club, of which he became president, he played for Middlesex Second XI and was on the County Club committee.

HARTLEY, FRED, Oxford University groundman in The Parks, died on November 14.

HENDERSON, MR. RICHARD L., who died in an Edinburgh hospital at the end of March, did good service in every office for the Galashiels club, excelling as a batsman from 1896 to 1924, and in 1927 he became President of the Scottish Cricket Union.

HILLYARD, COMMANDER GEORGE WHITESIDE, R.N., died on March 24, aged 79. Of high fame in the Lawn Tennis world, he enjoyed success at many games, and if able to give more time to cricket would have taken a prominent place among fast bowlers over fifty years ago. After captaining the Britannia training ship cricket XI, he played in turn for Middlesex, Hertfordshire and Leicestershire, while for the Gentlemen at the Oval in 1895 he took five wickets for 152 runs in the two Players innings of a drawn match. At Boston in 1894 he took ten wickets for 15 runs against Fifteen of Massachusetts during the second tour of America he made with teams captained by Lord Hawke. At Cannes he played golf with great skill, notably when beating Harold Hilton in 1903 in a club match. Swimming, pigeon-shooting and billiards afforded Hillyard opportunities to win prizes, besides the many honours that came to him on the tennis courts. For many years he acted in official capacities at Wimbledon.

HUBAND, MR. GEORGE DARLEY, M.C., a versatile player of games, died in May, when representative in Canada of the Minister of War Transport. For Winchester against Eton in 1915 he took seven wickets for 26, but C. J. Hambro excelled with seven for 6 runs, and Winchester were all out for 24, J. C. Clay, well known with Glamorgan, making 7 and Huband 3, doing next best, extras being top figure 9. He also took five Charterhouse wickets for 14. Next year Huband scored 21 in a total of 58 against Harrow, the only other double figure being 10, and took three wickets. Winchester beat Eton that season by 54 runs, Huband dismissing two men for 27. His captains were Gilbert and Hubert Ashton. Going up to Cambridge after the last war, Huband played in cricket trials, but gave most of his spare time to Real Tennis, at which he represented the University, and racquets. He also performed finely in these games in championship competitions in America, and represented Canada at squash racquets.

HUNTER, MR. GEORGE JAMES of Staines, who died on July 14, aged 84, left his Wisden Almanacks from 1880 to 1942 to his Stock Exchange friend Mr. John Keeble Guy. Mr. Hunter was a keen club cricketer and an enthusiastic follower of the game. Mr. Guy ran the Reigate Priority club for ten years and played also for Essex Second XI.

HURN, MR. CLEM, who died at Melksham, Wiltshire, in November, aged 54 played occasionally for Wiltshire. He was an all-round sportsman.

JONES, MR. ERNEST, who died in Adelaide on November 23, aged 74, is considered to have been the best fast bowler ever produced by Australia. During three visits to England in the course of seven years his great pace caused many a collapse on hard pitches, but on soft turf he earned less reward, as was natural enough in our variable climate. Still, he took 121 wickets in 1896, 135 in 1899, and 71 in 1902 at an average cost of 19 runs apiece in the three tours.

As a fresh opponent our batsmen experienced difficulty in timing his expresses, particularly on turf which tended to make the ball lift. His first effort in England was rewarded by the dismissal of W. G. Grace, F. S. Jackson, Arthur Shrewsbury, William Gunn, K. S. Ranjitsinhji, C. B. Fry and George Davidson--seven wickets for 84 runs at Sheffield Park in Sussex. He gained a still better analysis, eight wickets for 39 runs, against an England XI at Crystal Palace, the last four wickets falling to him without cost, but on that occasion the beaten batsmen were of far less class. He proved specially effective against Yorkshire, dismissing six men for 74 in an innings at Sheffield and seven for 36 runs at Leeds. Four wickets for 13 at the Oval and six for 33 at Edgbaston helped in decisive victories for Harry Trott's team over Surrey and Warwickshire, but in the three Tests his record showed only six wickets at 34.4 runs each.

For South Australia at Adelaide against A. E. Stoddart's side in March 1898 he took 14 wickets at a cost of 237 runs, his victims including such famous batsmen as K. S. Ranjitsinhji, J. R. Mason, N. F. Druce, Tom Hayward, George Hirst, William Storer and Ted Wainright. That performance remains a record against an England team on the Adelaide Oval. His test match work in that tour earned 22 wickets at 25.13 runs each.

In 1899, when five Tests were first played in England, Jones proved more destructive than either Hugh Trumble or M. A. Noble with 26 wickets at 25.26, and in the only one of the series brought to a definite conclusion, Australia winning at Lord's by ten wickets, his analysis showed ten wickets for 164--seven for 88 in the first innings--so that he stood out prominently in winning the rubber. Three years later, when Joe Darling for the second time led Australia to victory over England, Jones declined in form and his three wickets in Test matches cost 107 runs, but that season of wet weather told against fast bowlers generally.

The South Australian Year-Book gives Jones as taking 248 wickets at 26.19 runs apiece in matches in Australia. Among his best performances, besides those mentioned already, were six wickets for 15 at Melbourne against Victoria and seven for 103 against New South Wales at Adelaide, both in 1896. Altogether in nineteen matches against England his full return was 60 wickets at an average cost of 29.28 runs.

Besides his right-arm deadliness with the ball, Jones fielded splendidly at mid-off. Some good judges thought there was never a superior in that position, and as a hard-hitting batsman he sometimes did good service late in an innings; but it is as a bowler that Jones remains in one's memory.

Rather below medium height and of very powerful build, Jones put all his bodily strength behind the delivery after a comparatively short run for a fast bowler, and the intense force often made the ball rise unpleasantly for the batsman, especially if pitched at all short. Although his action came in for criticism, it went through the 1896 tour unchallenged, but in the Australian season of 1897-98 James Philips, himself an Australian, who played for Middlesex, twice no-balled Jones for throwing when playing against A. E. Stoddart's team. Phillips as a resolute umpire took a prominent part in stopping the epidemic of doubtful delivery in England. Subsequently Jones reduced his run, concentrated on length and ball control with good effect. When Jones first came to England, W. L. Murdoch, captain of Australian teams, was captain of Sussex, and the county offered Jones£350 a year for five years to qualify by residence, but the invitation was declined.

Sir Stanley Jackson, in his article on fast bowlers, in the early part of the book, deals specially with Ernest Jones.

KIDD, DR. PERCY MARMADUKE, who died early in the year, aged 92, played once for Kent in 1874. Three years he played in the Uppingham XI, being captain in 1868 and 1869.

KNOWLES, MR. WILLIAM LANCELOT, J.P., for twenty-two years Secretary of Sussex County Club, died on December 1, aged 72. During the autumn he resigned the position owing to bad health, but did not live long enough to realise the full appreciation of his services as shown by the response to the testimonial raised in recognition of the high regard in which he was held. Born at Twineham Grange, near Hayward's Heath, he went to St. John's College, Hurstpierpoint, where he played in the cricket XI, the football team, and was captain of Fives. From 1892 to 1902 he appeared at intervals for Kent, showing himself a skilful batsman, notably on slow pitches, and fielding with dash and certainty. Strong in forward play and driving, he enjoyed special success in 1900, making 127 at Blackheath against Somerset, and 124 against Surrey at the Oval, where he and J. R. Mason put on 248 for the fourth wicket in 160 minutes. Abel and Brockwell surpassed this effort with 270 in an unfinished opening stand which raised the aggregate of the match to 1,245, including five centuries, for 30 wickets. Knowles averaged 41.11 for nine innings that season; altogether in first-class cricket his figures were 1,388 runs, average 23.52. His only appearance for Sussex was in 1905 against Northamptonshire, scores of 37 and 29 affording further evidence of his ability. Could he have given more time to cricket, he might have been a leading amateur batsman. He made many runs for Gentelmen of Sussex.

Master of the Brighton foot beagles during several years, he also used his untiring efforts for many winters in organising, with A. E. R. Gilligan and Maurice Tate, whist drives and dances on behalf of the County Club funds. His happy manner helped in the enjoyment of the Sussex weeks, and his influence went far towards county cricket being a success at Worthing.

LONGHURST, THE REV. CANON WILLIAM HENRY ROBERTS, who died at Budleigh Salterton on September 3 within eight days of completing 105 years, played in the 1856 Marlborough XI. At Lord's against Rugby, in the second match between these schools, he made 4 run out and 10; earlier in the season at Cheltenham he scored 35 in a total of 84 and 18. That was the first meeting of Cheltenham and Marlborough. In each game Longhurst was on the losing side. When at Pembroke College, Oxford, he showed to advantage in several sports and won the hurdles in 1861 and 1862. During his first curacy at Savernake he was classical master at Marlborough--1865 to 1876. For over fifty years he took a prominent part in philanthropic work in Worcester, and, after being an honorary canon, he became Canon Emeritus of Worcester Cathedral in 1936 when 97 years of age. At the time of his death Canon Longhurst was the oldest clergyman in Britain, the oldest member of Oxford University, and senior Old Marlburian.

LYLE, CAPTAIN ROBERT CHARLES, M.C., died on September 27, aged 56. Sporting Editor of The Times, he reported all games and made a great name as racing correspondent. At Felsted School he played cricket with some success, but showed his best skill in the hockey field, as he did when at Corpus Christi College, Cambridge, until concentrating more on golf. During the 1914-18 war he served with the R.A.S.C. in France and was awarded the M.C. and Bar. In the present war he acted as war correspondent with the Royal Navy in the Mediterranean until invalided home in June 1914. Having recovered, he continued his energetic journalism until death occurred suddenly at his home.

LYNDEN-BELL, MAJOR-GENERAL SIR ARTHUR, K.C.B., K.C.M.G., died at Platt, near Sevenoaks, on February 14, aged 76. A very keen supporter of Kent cricket, he was always on the St. Lawrence ground during Canterbury Week, notably at The Buffs tent, having been Colonel-in-chief of the regiment for a long time.

MACAN, MR. GEORGE, Harrow XI 1869-71 and a Cambridge Blue in 1874 and 1875, died at his Wimbledon home on November 2, aged 90. He was a barrister. In the big schools match at Lord's he was on the losing side each year, the coaching of R. A. H. Mitchell giving great strength to Eton at that time. In the first and third of these matches Eton batted only once, but in 1870 Macan, who opened the Harrow bowling, took five wickets at the same very slight cost of 25 runs in each Eton innings. As Macan scored 25 not out and 17, he was largely responsible for Harrow gaining a first innings lead and losing by only 21 runs. He did not bowl for Cambridge at Lord's, where Oxford won by an innings and 92 runs in 1874, but next year by the narrow margin of six runs, the smallest by which Oxford ever won and the closest result of all in the University matches apart from the 1870 Cobden's hat-trick finish which enabled Cambridge to win by two runs. Macan was the last survivor of the University Matches in which he played, but F. A. MacKinnon, the Mackinnon of Clan Mackinnon, the sole survivor of that historic 1870 struggle, remains the oldest living Blue and Test match player at the age of 95.

MARSHALL, MR. WALTER, who held a high place in active connection with Nottingham cricket for over sixty years, died on January 15, aged 89. Born at Hyson Green on October 27, 1854, he made a name as a capable batsman with Notts Castle Club, but did not play for the County until 1891, when 36 years old. He was not successful in two matches for a side rich in batting, but was chosen to manage the ground staff in 1897, when Nottinghamshire adopted the club and ground scheme for fostering local talent, of which Mr. Marshall possessed special knowledge. As expected by the County Committee, the young professionals derived great benefit under his able supervision, and he held the position for twenty-five years. Subsequently he earned higher and more widely known fame as chief groundsman at Trent Bridge, where, under his care, the pitches and the whole playing area became a cause for admiration by all cricket lovers--except perhaps bowlers unable to derive any help from the turf. Marshall retired to well-earned rest at the end to the season 1935 when over 80 years of age, and passed away near to the ground which he knew during nearly all his long life.

MASTER, MR. HUMPHREY CLAUD, who died at Norwich on May 7, aged 63, appeared intermittently for Norfolk from 1905 to 1911, and served on the County Club Committee from 1910 to 1939, being chairman for fifteen years. He played golf for the county and was a good three-quarter back in the Norfolk Rugby fifteen.

MOON, MR. WILLIAM ROBERT, a well-known solicitor, died on January 9, aged 74. He headed the Westminster School averages with 28.62 in 1885, his second season in the eleven, and six years afterwards played in two matches for Middlesex, scoring not out 17 in the only innings he played for the county. Surrey were beaten by an innings and 20 runs, and the other game was ruined by rain. A free, hard-hitting batsman, he fielded finely in the deep, earning fame as a sure catch. He also was good behind the stumps, and it was as wicket-keeper that he received his trial for Middlesex. Taking a more prominent part in Association football, he kept goal four times for England against Scotland, 1888 to 1891, and in three matches against Wales. He excelled for Old Westminsters and Corinthians.

PARKIN, CECIL HENRY, who died on June 15 in a Manchester hospital, earned the description cricket's chief comedian. Of medium height and rather slim, eccentric in character and in action, he brought every known device besides his own special jugglery into his right-arm bowling. For variations of pace and spin he ranked with the cleverest of attackers, his high-pitched very slow ball being specially deceptive. He chiefly used the off-break, but overdid experiments, so that the most experienced captain found it difficult to place a field able to check run-getting when punishing batsmen faced Parkin. Yet a well-known amateur said in Oval pavilion that he would like Parkin on his side because he took wickets quickly and left his batsmen plenty of time in which to get runs.

League cricket occupied much of Parkin's time before he started for Lancashire by taking 14 Leicestershire wickets at Liverpool in 1914, and after the last war his Saturdays were engaged similarly; but in 1919 at Old Trafford he helped materially in the defeat of Yorkshire by taking 14 wickets at exactly 10 runs apiece, the margin, curiously enough, being 140 runs--precisely the number hit off Parkin in 60 overs. Chosen for The Players at the Oval and Lord's, he did nothing exceptional, but next season at the Oval he dismissed nine Gentlemen, six clean bowled, in the first innings for 85 runs, a performance which influenced his choice for the team which visited Australia that winter. Except at Adelaide, where five wickets fell to him for 60 runs in the first innings, Parkin, like other England bowlers during that ill-fated tour, suffered severely in the Tests; but he took most wickets, and 73 at 21 runs apiece during the whole campaign. Next summer he again proved the most effective bowler when appearing in four of the five Tests, but England were still far below their best, and altogether Parkin was on the losing side eight times without knowing the satisfaction of victory when playing for his country against Australia.

Of the drawn match at Old Trafford, where he took five wickets for 38 runs, he told a story well suited to his own character. H. L. Collins, the Australian, batted seven hours for 40 runs. A spectator shouted to our skipper, Lord Tennyson, `Eh, Tennyson, read him one of your poems!'--and with the very next ball I got Collins l. b. w. when England batted a second time, 187 runs ahead, Parkin went in first, and so could claim the proud privilege of being one of the few men who have opened both the bowling and batting for England.

He was in the eleven which beat South Africa by an innings and 18 runs at Edgbaston in 1924. Arthur Gilligan, six wickets for 7 runs, and Maurice Tate, four for 12, dismissed the visitors for 30--the lowest Test match total--and again shared the honours when South Africa following-on, scored 390.

Parkin was at his best about that time, being the most effective Lancashire bowler both in 1923 and the following season, with records of 209 wickets at 16.94 runs apiece, and 200 at the low cost of 13.67 each. His deadliness declined in 1925, when his analysis showed 121 wickets at 20.79 each. E. A. MacDonald and Richard Tyldesley were then his superiors in the powerful Lancashire attack. His benefit match with Middlesex that season realised £1,880. In 1926 he played in eleven county matches, taking 36 wickets at 15.13 apiece, and so shared in Lancashire gaining the championship for the first time since 1904; but his finish in important cricket in his 40th year was regrettable--due to a breach with the Lancashire authorities. Altogether in first-class cricket Parkin was credited with 1,060 wickets at an average cost of 17.49.

As a batsman he was useful at times and showed good style, but his average of 11.47 denotes uncertainty to a high degree. Parkin told his early cricket life in a very vivacious book and, in conformity with his cricket gestures, was a conjurer of no mean ability. Born on February 18, 1886, he was 57.

PATTERSON, MR. GEORGE STUART, one of the best all-round cricketers ever produced by America, died in June, aged 74. Over six feet tall and of slim build, he batted in good style and bowled right-arm medium-pace. For Haverford College and Pennsylvania University he made a name when young and played for Germanstown Club when only fifteen. He came to England with the Gentleman of Phildelphia team in 1889 and, scoring 529 runs, average 40.69, he headed the batting figures, besides taking 42 wickets at 23 runs apiece.

In 1897 he captained a similar side, and with 33 was second in the averages, his chief innings being 162 at Trent Bridge against Nottinghamshire. In America he played many big innings, the highest being 271. Four times he exceeded a thousand runs in a season, and in 1891, besides making 1,402 (average 50), he took 112 wickets at 7.97 each. With F. H. Bohlen, who passed away in December 1942, Patterson made 200 for the first wicket against Frank Mitchell's University team that visited Philadelphia in 1895.

PATTERSON, REV. JOHN IRWIN, exactly a year younger than his brother W. H., far more famous in the cricket world, died on September 22, aged 83. A defensive batsman and good field, he made a name as a left-hand slow bowler, playing six times for Kent in 1881 and 1882, besides getting his Blue at Oxford in 1882 when Cambridge won by seven wickets--the first of four consecutive results by the same margin, Oxford in 1884 varying the run of Cambridge victories. At Maidstone in 1881 he took five Derbyshire wickets for twelve runs, and in 1880 for St. Lawrence he dismissed seven Dover batsmen, three bowled and four caught, in seven balls, as recorded in Scores and Biographies.

PAYTON, WILFRED RICHARD DANIEL, died at Beeston, near Nottingham, on May 2, aged 61. From 1905 to 1930 he helped his county with steadily increasing value during a long period when Nottinghamshire stood out as an exceptionally strong side. Starting modestly in 1905, he became the regular number five in the batting order, and after the last war he rivalled W. Whyshall for preference as the most consistent run-getter in the team. In 1923 he scored 1,379 with an average of 45.96, and in 1926 did still better with 1,743 runs, average 48.41, in county matches, 133 being the highest of his six three-figure innings.

Twice he assisted Nottinghamshire to win the championship--in 1907 under A. O. Jones and in 1929 when A. W. Carr was captain. A strained thigh handicapped Payton during this second triumph with which he was associated, but he came out second in the averages to Whysall, his batting at the age of 46 earning high praise; he did especially well against Lancashire at Trent Bridge, making 169, the highest score of his career, during which he hit 39 centuries. Payton and George Gunn were then the only remaining members of the side who helped to carry off the championship twenty-two years before. Next season, 1930, illness, as in some previous seasons, handicapped Payton, but he maintained his form in this his benefit year, which practically ended his first-class cricket, for he played little in 1931 and then retired.

Altogether he scored 22,132 runs for the county with an average of 34.36. Of rather frail build, Wilfred Payton batted in excellent style with a wide range of well-controlled strokes, and he fielded admirably. Usually steady in defence and orthodox stroke play, he could score freely when time was important. In 1919 at Huddersfield he hit 63 out of 78 in 55 minutes off the Yorkshire bowlers, and next season he made 50 out of 70 in 48 minutes at Worksop against Derbyshire. His son, the Rev. W. E. G. Payton, played for the county and got his Blue at Cambridge in 1937.

POYNTON, DR. FREDERICK JOHN, died at Bath on October 29, aged 74. An admirable bat at Marlborough, he made 30 and 47 against Rugby at Lord's in the 1886 match, when C. W. Bengough, by going on to bowl twice at each end in the same innings, broke law 14. This infringement, which caused the law to be altered, was mentioned in 1943 Wisden in regard to S. A. P. Kitcat. Poynton, highest Marlborough scorer in an effort to get 233 runs for victory, was batting with his captain when the incident occurred. Rugby won by 36 runs after a splendid struggle. Poynton played for Somerset from 1891 to 1896 when free from medical duties, and in 1893 he took part in another match that aroused much discussion. On a very wet Thursday morning it was decided that play was impossible; but the weather turned fine, many people came to Taunton to see the Australians, and to avoid disappointment the Somerset authorities over ruled the umpires and play began late in the afternoon. Poynton's highest score for Somerset was 57 at Hove in 1895.

PRICE, MR HERBERT LEO, headmaster of Bishop's Stortford College, where he was educated before going to Oxford in 1919, died on July 18 after an operation, aged 46. An exceptionally capable player of many games, he might have gained high honours at cricket if less proficient at Rugby football, hockey and water polo, in each of which sports he represented Oxford during his University career form 1919 to 1922. He played Rugby wing forward and hockey centre-half for England. Appearing in Oxford cricket trails form 1919, he scored 105 retired when captaining a team of Freshmen in 1922, but when tried in the Eleven he did nothing of moment, and never seemed likely to get his Blue, but he was awarded the Harlequin cap and became a member of Free Foresters.

QUAIFE, WALTER, elder brother of W. G. Quaife, who died at his home at Norwood, Surrey, on January 18, aged 78, was an opening batsman of much ability, possessed of excellent style and attractive hitting power. Born at Newhaven on April 1, 1864, he first appeared for Sussex in 1884, and continued to assist his home county until halfway through the summer of 1891, when, questioned by the committee as to whether he was qualifying for Warwickshire, he refused all information and was consequently dropped form the side. He made 3,386 runs for Sussex with an average of nearly 19, highest score 156 not out against Gloucestershire at Brighton in 1890. In this most disastrous season for Sussex--eleven of twelve championship engagements ending in defeat--he headed the batting averages. In 1893 he turned out for Warwickshire--at that time one of seven teams competing for the second-class counties championship. He at once showed himself an acquistion, making 756 runs with an average of 31, helped Warwickshire reach first-class rank in 1895, when he headed the averages with 37, and kept this place in the eleven for eight years, dropping out early in 1901. For Warwickshire during those seasons he scored 6,316 runs, averaged 26, and put together ten three-figure innings, of which the highest was 144 against Gloucestershire in 1899. He finished his county career with Suffolk in 1905. Three times he appeared for the Players against the Gentlemen and thoroughly justified his selection, scoring 42 not out and 59 at the Oval in 1889, 55 on the same ground in 1895, and 40 not out at Lord's in 1890. Although of only moderate height, he was four inches taller than his brother William.

RAWLIN, E. R., who played occasionally for Yorkshire form 1927 to 1936, died on January 11, aged 43.

RINGROSE, WILLIAM, well known on cricket grounds as the Yorkshire scorer and held in high esteem by all who came in personal touch with him, died at his home at Crossgates, Leeds, on September 14, aged 72. In his official capacity he scored the first-wicket record of 555 made by Herbert Sutcliffe and Percy Holmes at Leyton in June 1932, and was on duty at Hove on September 1, 1939, when the only county cricket concluded that day, before the crisis stopped first-class cricket, brought victory to Yorkshire by nine wickets over Sussex in James Parks benefit match. The bowling analysis of the Sussex second innings, showing the last performance by Hedley Verity--6 overs 1 maiden 9 runs 7 wickets--written by Ringrose, was kept by Major Brian Sellers, and found in his blazer pocket at Lord's when the sad news of Captain Verity's death was announced. Besides these historic events, Ringrose placed on paper many remarkable performances during the seasons from 1923 to 1939. Yorkshire started and finished that period as champion county and altogether took chief honours ten times, with Ringrose chronicling in the score-book all that happened.

He brought practical knowledge to bear on this work, having played for the county occasionally from 1901 to 1906, and would have found more opportunities to show his worth but for the presence of Sir Stanley Jackson, George Hirst, Wilfred Rhodes and Schofield Haigh in the Yorkshire XI during those years. In 1905, his best season, he took 73 wickets at 19 runs apiece, excelling against the Australians at Bradford by dismissing nine men at a cost of 76 runs in the first innings. Described as one of the first bowlers to develop the out-swinger, Ringrose said that this ball led to a fieldsman being placed in the gully. Bowled at the stumps and swinging away it caused batsmen much trouble. Among other bowlers who profited by his advice was William Bowes, so valuable to Yorkshire for several seasons before the war. Before playing for Yorkshire, Ringrose was on the staff of the Liverpool club at Aigburth, and after finishing his county experience he enjoyed marked success in Scotland for several years.

ROBSON, MR. CHARLES, died on September 27 in his 85th year. After playing a little for Middlesex, he was actively associated with Hampshire from 1891 to 1906, captaining the county in four seasons, 1899 to 1902. A useful wicket-keeper, he went to America with K. S. Ranjitsinhji's team in 1899, and in 1901-02 was deputy to A. A. Lilley for A. C. MacLaren's side in Australia. Then 42 years of age, he did not play in any Test match. In 1903 he appeared for Gentlemen against Players at the Oval. Often playing a good innings, he scored 52 out of 113 added with Captain J. G. Greig for Hampshire against Lancashire at Liverpool in 1901. Greig scored 296 without being dismissed in a match that was always an uphill fight for his side, and, thanks to his efforts, was drawn. Tall and of robust build, Robson hit hard besides showing skill in defence.

RUTHERFORD, MR. J. S., who played for Hampshire in 1913, died on April 14.

RYE, GEORGE JOSEPH, enjoyed a long career for Norfolk from 1878 to 1895. During those eighteen seasons he scored 1,112 runs and took 264 wickets, among the opposing sides being Essex, Derbyshire, Hampshire, Leicestershire and Northants. When still playing well he started umpiring, and until 1931 was on the list of Minor Counties umpires. For forty years he acted as coach to Norwich Grammar School. He died at his daughter's house at Norwich on January 6, aged 86. Accurate length with slow to medium-paced spin delivery enabled Rye to keep batsmen on the defensive. When F. E. Lacey made 323 not out for Hampshire in 1887--still the highest score in a Minor County match-- Rye bowled 33 overs, 14 maidens, for 77 runs and four wickets. Against Essex at Norwich in 1883 his figures read: 51 overs, 20 maidens, 69 runs, five wickets.

SHIPMAN, WILLIAM, a very good bowler and useful batsman for Leicestershire form 1908 to 1914, died on August 26 at Ratby, his home, aged 57. In 1911, his most successful season, he took 100 wickets in championship matches at 25.61 apiece and averaged 16.27 with the bat, his best display, 69 out of 93 in 70 minutes, being in an uphill struggle against Warwickshire at Hinckley. He bowled fast right-hand with off-break and showed to most advantage on hard turf. He often lacked effective help, but once at least, this misfortune did not spoil his work. In 1910 at the Oval he took nine wickets for 83 runs, hitting the stumps six times, an so enabled Leicestershire to atone for a poor first innings and win by 63 runs, Surrey suffering their second defeat at the Oval in their last match of the season. Strangely enough, in the second dismissal of Surrey Shipman did not earn any reward.

In 1909 he did the hat-trick against Derbyshire. Twice he excelled against Yorkshire; in 1910 at Leeds he took their first five wickets for 12 runs, and Jayes dismissed seven men for 87 runs in the second innings, the two fast bowlers being mainly responsible for a victory by 259 runs-- Leicestershire's first triumph over Yorkshire in a championship match. Next year, at Leicester, Shipman got rid of seven opponents for 73, and with King, the slow right-hander--eight wickets for 17--brought about the defeat of Yorkshire by an innings and 20 runs, the only win for Leicestershire that season. The war brought his county cricket career to an end, though he played once in 1921. Altogether he took 367 wickets, average 27.26 and score 2,479 runs, average 14.18. Shipman joined Todmorden, the Lancashire League Club, in 1914, and afterwards played for Smethwick in the Birmingham League.

SMITH, FRANK ERNEST, who played in the great day of Surrey under John Shuter and K. J. Key, died at Sedbergh, Yorkshire, where he lived since his retirement from coach at the school, on December 3, aged 71. Born at Bury St. Edmund's, he obtained a trial at the Oval on the recommendation of C. Baldwin, a Surrey professional also of Suffolk by birth, and when qualified by residence played from 1893 to 1896 and made subsequent appearances, while playing also for the London County Club under W. G. Grace. A rather slow left-handed bowler, he afforded the perfect contrast to Tom Richardson and William Lockwood, then in their prime, and such success did they achieve that, thanks mainly to them, Surrey were champions in 1894 and 1895. Smith enjoyed by far his most successful season in 1894, when his average showed 95 wickets at 13.90 apiece and the three bowlers took 270 wickets between them in championship matches and 414 in all matches; seven other bowlers claimed only 58 victims between them. At Cheltenham Smith twice dismissed W. G. Grace, and against Gloucestershire at the Oval, where Surrey also won by an innings, he and Tom Richardson bowled unchanged, equally sharing the wickets, Smith's ten costing 71 runs and Richardson's 99. In 1895 Richardson stood out by himself with 237 wickets, Smith deteriorating to a modest 40 at 24 runs apiece in championship matches and he never recovered his ability of 1894. Frank Smith spent many winters coaching in South Africa with Western Province club and Wanderers of Johannersberg.

SMITH, MR. GILBERT OSBERT, who died on December 6, aged 71, at his home at Lymington, Hampshire, earned higher fame at Association football than at cricket, but he captained both elevens at Charterhouse and became a double Blue at Oxford. During a short cricket career he earned lasting fame as the hero in a record performance by Oxford in the University match of 1896. Left to get 330 runs, the eleven, captained by H. D. G. Leveson Gower, gained a glorious victory; the feat of making so many runs surpassing anything previously accomplished in University contests. G. O. Smith, going in second wicket down, scored 132 and with only two wanted gave an easy catch to slip when attempting the winning hit. Apart form this wonderful accomplishment the match lives in cricket history because it produced similar incidents to those of 1893. Cambridge again conceding runs so as to avoid making the batting side follow-on. As the outcome of each of these occurrences in University matches, the M.C.C. altered law 53 by increasing the margin of runs involving a follow-on first from 80 to 120, and then making it optional with a lead of 150.

Cambridge won when F. S. Jackson allowed C. M. Wells to bowl so as to give away extras; but three years later success did not attend the scheme of Frank Mitchell, the captain, and E. B. Shine, the fast bowler, who sent down two no-balls and a wide, all of which went to the boundary. Cambridge batted again 117 ahead, but were so unnerved by the hostile attitude of the crowd and the loudly expressed criticism in the pavilion, with shouts of Play the game and It's not cricket, that six of their strong batting side fell for 61 runs. Rain stopped play when Cambridge were improving, and after a considerable downpour the pitch rolled out well in the morning. Oxford made a good beginning to a task regarded as impossible in those days, and thanks mainly to G. O. Smith, the runs were obtained, Oxford winning by four wickets, As G. O. scored 37 in his first innings and made 51 not out and 2 in the 1895 match he showed himself admirably fitted for the big occasion. I saw those matches and all that happened in 1896 comes fresh to my memory, including the many opinions expressed in a long correspondence in The Times.

H. D. G. Leveson Gower, the Oxford captain who gave G. O. Smith the last place in his eleven for the 1896 match, when told that G. O. was dead, said that Joe was a good bat. I persuaded him to play against the Australians for Surrey at the Oval. Always modest, `G. O.' said, `I'm not good enough, I'll make two noughts;' and sure enough he did. Unable to find much time for county cricket, he seldom appeared for Surrey, but having joined A. T. B. Dunn, W. J. Oakley and other noted players of games as a master at Ludgrove School, he assisted Hertfordshire when free from duty. He became headmaster of the school in February 1902.

In his third season in the Charterhouse cricket XI G. O. Smith scored 168 not out against Old Carthusians; next year, when captain for the second time, he excelled with 229 against Westminster at Godalming and 109 at Wellington. A free scorer, he cut beautifully and got power into his drives by perfect timing; in fact admirable right-hand batting. He also bowled well and at cover-point he used safe hands and returned the ball accurately to the wicket-keeper. Nearly five feet eleven inches in height and of slim build, he moved gracefully with quickness in all he did.

Going Straight into the Oxford Association XI with R. J. Salt from Charterhouse, where they played together on the right wing, G. O. Smith was put in the centre and earned the description, which lasts to the present time, of being the best centre-forward in the annals of the game. He helped Oxford win three out of four University matches and finished as captain. Playing first for England in 1894 during his brilliant Oxford career, G. O. was capped twenty times and captained England in the 1898-99 series of international, all of which were won, that with Ireland by 13 goals to 2--an international record aggregate. He led Corinthians when they became first holders of the Sheriff of London Charity Shield, and scored the winning goal in a great match with Aston Villa at Crystal Palace in November 1899.--H.P.

STEWART, MAJOR-GENERAL SIR JAMES MARSHALL, K.C.B., K.C.M.G., who died at Tavistock on July 20 in his 81st year, played in the Malvern XI, 1877 and 1878.

TATE, FREDERICK WILLIAM, died at Burgess Hill, Sussex, on February 4, aged 75. He first played for Sussex in 1888, and not until 1905 did his career end. Subsequently he went to Derby as coach to the County Club and in 1921 to Trent College as professional coach. Two of his three sons played county cricket, Maurice, so well known with Sussex and England, and C. L. Tate, who played for Derbyshire and Warwickshire.

A slow to medium-paced right-hand bowler, with easy action and good command of length, Fred Tate took over 100 wickets in five different seasons. His great year came when he was 35, 180 wickets falling to him for less than 16 runs apiece in 1902. His full record in first-class cricket shows 1,324 wickets at an average cost of 21 runs apiece. He accomplished many good performances. When Hampshire were a second-class county he took nine wickets for 24 runs, and at Leicester in 1902 he again got nine wickets in an innings at a cost of 73 runs. Perhaps his best achievement was that year at Lord's when against Middlesex he dismissed fifteen men for 68 runs in a day. Other exceptional feats were five wickets for one run against Kent at Tonbridge in 1888 and seven for 17 against Gloucestershire at Bristol in 1891; and in 1901 he did the hat-trick against Surrey at the Oval. This was his benefit year and the match against Yorkshire at Hove brought him £1,051.

In his best season, 1902, Tate played against The Gentlemen at Lord's and for England in the fourth Test against Australia at Old Trafford--one of the most dramatic struggles in the history of cricket, Australia winning by three runs after astonishing changes of fortune and incidents that I still can see clearly. Rain-drenched ground influenced the last-minute preference of Tate over George Hirst, and to the last choice fell the lot of being the central figures in a fielding error and in the final scene. Quite recently Len Braund, whom I met by chance, told me that when Joe Darling, the Australian captain, a left-handed batsman, and S. E. Gregory changed ends during an over he wanted Lionel Palairet, fielding at square-leg, as customary when Braund bowled for Somerset, to cross the ground. A. C. MacLaren, the England captain, sent Tate to the position, although he invariably fielded slip or near the wicket for Sussex--never in the deep. At once Darling lifted a catch and Tate dropped it--an absolute disaster for England, 48 more runs coming before the fourth wicket fell at 64. Unquestionably this, the only stand of the innings, determined the issue of the tensely close struggle. In this second innings of Australia Tate bowled five overs and took two wickets for seven runs. Next day, on a very treacherous pitch, England, striving to hit off 124 runs before a threatening storm burst, lost their ninth wicket with eight wanted for victory. Rain then interrupted the game for three-quarters of an hour before Tate joined Rhodes and edged the next ball to the leg boundary: but the fourth ball he received from Saunders bowled him, and so finished the memorable match with a victory that gave Australia the rubber, no matter what might happen in the last encounter at the Oval. A few minutes later torrents of rain fell and washed us all back to Manchester.--H.P.

THOMPSON, GEORGE JOSEPH, died on March 3 at Bristol in his 67th year. To him largely belonged the credit of raising Northamptonshire to the first class in 1905, and he was recoginsed as the greatest player the county ever produced. After playing in the Wellingborough Grammar School XI, Thompson, when 17 years of age, appeared first for the county in 1895, before Northamptonshire ranked in the second-class competition. When that advance was made Thompson in 1901 and again in 1902 took over a hundred wickets and in batting averaged 36: In 1903, with 92 wickets for ten runs apiece and 33 as batting average, he played a big part in bringing Northamptonshire to the head of the competition. He attained to greater heights in the following summer with 99 wickets for eleven runs each and a batting average of 42. Having won ten matches out of twelve and drawing the others, Northamptonshire in the ensuing winter were received into the first-class circle and in 1905 entered the senior county competition. Prior to that memorable occurrence Thompson, in 1900, put together 125 for Players against Gentlemen at Scarborough, and in the winter of 1902-03 was a member of the team captained by Lord Hawke but led on the field by P. F. Warner. In New Zealand the side won all 18 matches, Thompson playing a notable part in the success with 177 wickets for 6 runs apiece. At Adelaide in South Australia's first innings he took nine wickets for 85. Two years later, when one of Lord Brackley's side in the West Indies, Thompson batted consistently and took 126 wickets at ten runs each. So good was his form that he played for England against Australia at Birmingham in 1909, but he bowled only four overs in a low-scoring match, George Hirst and Blythe sharing the twenty Australian wickets. Next winter he went to South Africa with the team captained by H. D. G. Leveson Gower, and with 33.37 was second to Hobbs in the batting averages, besides taking 23 wickets in the five Test matches, of which three were lost, the rubber going to South Africa. Throughout the tour Thompson showed consistent form without doing anything exceptional.

In the course of a great career which really ended with the war, during which he was wounded, Thompson, in about ten full seasons of first-class cricket, took 1,437 wickets for less than 20 runs apiece and scored 11,398 runs, average 22. Eight times between 1905 and 1913 over a hundred wickets fell to him, 126 in 1905, 136 in 1906, 127 in 1907, and 163 at 14 runs each in 1909 being his best achievements. He continued to play occasionally until 1922, and his full record in first-class cricket showed 1,595 wickets at 18.80 and 12,015 runs, average 22.0 while he held 226 catches. In 1906 and 1910 he did the double. Right hand both with bat and ball, he bowled well above medium pace, commanded an accurate length, brought the ball off the ground with plenty of life and spin, and when helped at all by the pitch got up very awkwardly, as the Gentlemen realised at the Oval in 1905, six wickets in the second innings falling to him for 59 runs. As a batsman he possessed strong defence and considerable hitting power. After retiring from first-class cricket Thompson became coach in turn at Rugby School, Clifton College and Stowe School.

TONGE, LIEUT. COLONEL WILLIAM CORRIE, D.S.O., died on May 2 after a long illness, aged 81. A very good batsman, he captained Cheltenham College in his third season, 1880, in the XI, and was tried for Gloucestershire while still at school. Two years afterwards he played for Sandhurst, and from 1895 he appeared for Norfolk, being an officer in the county regiment.

TUCKWELL, MR. B. J., died at Wellington on January 2. Well known in cricketing circles in Victoria, where he was born, he played for the State team against P. F. Warner's 1903-4 England side. Going to New Zealand, he gained a place in the team that toured Australia in 1913-14, and did well in the minor matches with 84 at Maitland v. Northern Districts and 63 and 44 at Goulburn v. Southern Districts. In New Zealand he played for both Otago and Wellington and also for representative New Zealand teams. A stylish bat, excelling in crisp cuts both square and late, he often made useful scores and did good service as an excellent slip fieldsman.

TYLDESLEY, RICHARD KNOWLES, youngest and only survivor of four brothers, all of whom were on the Old Trafford ground staff and played for Lancashire, died at his home, little Hulton near Bolton, on September 17, aged 45. His father, J. D. Tyldesley, a Westhoughton club professional, taught his sons cricket, and Dick reached a high standard. Constant practice at the nets in boyhood brought perfection in length, and with experience he mastered spin, varied pace and other artifices which brought him a trial for Lancashire in 1919 when county matches after the war were restricted to two days. His skill as a slow bowler increased like his bulk, and he gradually gained renown as a slow bowler of the heaviest build in county cricket, looking older than his years but carrying his weight with remarkable ease while toiling for long spells without tiring. Above medium height, he flighted the ball naturally and used the top spinner in a way often earning the umpire's agreement with the leg-before appeal. His leg-break, expected by batsmen rather than operative, turned little if at all under normal conditions but, given a responsive pitch, Dick Tyldesley could be devastating, though length, adjusted to a batsman's ability, was his most effective means of attack.

Regularly form 1922 his victims numbered at least 100 a season, and he showed little if any deterioration in 1931 when the Lancashire committee could not concede to his request for an engagement for a definite period at a fixed salary of £400 a year, no matter whether he could play or not; and his association with the county ceased.

In 1923 he took 106 wickets in Championship matches at 15 runs apiece. Next season, when the South Africans toured England, Tyldesley appeared to considerable advantage in four of the five Test matches, but his most brilliant achievement was six wickets for 18 runs at Leeds, where, thanks to him and Parkin, Yorkshire were dismissed for 33 and beaten by 24 runs.

This form gained Tyldesley a place in the side which visited Australia in the following winter under A. E. R. Gilligan, but he met with little success on the shirt-front wickets, and played against Australia only in the Test match at Melbourne, being dismissed for one and nought, and sending down 37 overs for 136 runs without getting a wicket.

In 1930 Dick Tyldesley played for England against Australia at Nottingham, where England triumphed, and at Leeds in a drawn match, dismissing seven batsmen at an average of 33 runs in the two encounters, but was not called upon again. He headed his county's bowling with 121 wickets at 14.73 each, and Lancashire were champion county for the fourth time in five seasons, the first of these successes coming in 1926 after an interval of twenty-two years when A. C. MacLaren captained the side. He was again the most effective bowler for Lancashire in 1931 with a record of 116 wickets at a fraction under 16 runs each, but his county dropped to sixth place; and that ended his county career. During several seasons he enjoyed considerable success with the bat, and in 1922 he hit up 105 against Nottinghamshire at Old Trafford.

Parkin and Dick Tyldesley did some remarkable performances besides the triumph at Leeds. In 1924 they shared the wickets in both innings at Old Trafford for Lancashire against the South Africans, Tyldesley's figures being seven for 28 and five for 50; they were unchanged against Warwickshire, ten wickets falling to Tyldesley for 103 runs. In that season he dismissed five Leicestershire batsmen, three clean bowled and the other two leg-before-wicket, in five maiden overs--all he bowled in the innings. Another fine performance was seven Northamptonshire wickets for six runs at Aigburth. Against the same county at Kettering in 1926 he dismissed eight men for 15 runs. Also a unique performance stands to his credit at Derby in 1929, when he dismissed two men with the last two balls of one innings and two more with the first two deliveries he sent down in the second innings.

Altogether in first-class cricket he took 1,513 wickets at 17.15 runs apiece, score 6,424 runs, average 15.04, and held 328 catches--mostly at short-leg. For Lancashire his record showed 1,447 wickets, a number exceeded only by John Briggs and Arthur Mold. After giving up county cricket, Tyldesley helped Nantwich to win the North Staffordshire and District League Championship twice, and he did good service for Accrington, whom he joined in 1934.

In 1930 his benefit match, when Surrey visited Old Trafford, realized £2,027, although it clashed with England versus Australia at Trent Bridge where Tyldesley was engaged. At different periods Dick Tyldesley shared in the Lancashire bowling honours with Cecil Parkin and E. A. McDonald, the Australian--and now all three are dead: McDonald passed in 1937, Parkin three months before Richard Tyldesley.

So much doubt has prevailed as to the relationship of the six Tyldesleys who played for Lancashire that it is opportune to emphasise that the brothers John Thomas, who died in 1930, and Ernest, both famous batsmen and England Test players, belonged to a Worsley family and were not related to the four Westhoughton professionals; these were:--

William K. Tyldesley, a batsman. Killed in 1918 during the last war while a Lieutenant in the North Lancashire Regiment. Obituary 1919 Wisden.

James Darbyshire Tyldesley, a fast bowler and good batsman; played first for Lancashire in 1910, died in 1923. Obituary 1924 Wisden.

Harry Tyldesley, died in 1935. Played first for the county in 1914, at Derby on July 11, when two pairs of Tyldesley brothers figured in the Lancashire eleven; that season the Lancashire averages included five Tyldesleys. Harry toured with A. C. MacLaren's team in the winter of 1922 and headed the bowling averages both in Australia and New Zealand. Obituary 1936 Wisden.

Richard Tyldesley, the youngest, the subject of this obituary.

VINTCENT, MR. CHARLES HENRY, an Old Carthusian, who died at George, Cape Province, on September 28, played in the two representative matches against the first English team that visited South Africa during the winter of 1888-89. Both ended in easy victories for the English Eleven captained by C. Aubrey Smith. Three year later he played in one match against the side captained by W. W. Read, the Eleven of South Africa again suffering a heavy defeat. Left-handed both as batsman and bowler, Vintcent was a good all-rounder cricketer; his best performance was to score 87 and take wickets in a match for 105 runs for XVIII of Kimberley against Aubrey Smith's team. He frequently bowled well in the inter-district champion bat tournaments that preceded the Currie Cup competitions, but did little in the matches eventually included in the statistics as Tests. Born at Mossel Bay, Cape Colony, on September 2, 1866, he was educated at Charterhouse, where he was in the eleven 1882 to 1884.

WHITE, HARRY, head groundsman at Lord's for 26 years before retiring on pension at the end of the 1936 season, died on December 19 at his home at Luton, aged 74. He performed the difficult task of preparing natural pitches with marked skill. The M.C.C. committee would not allow the use of dope, but White contrived to keep the turf fit to withstand the wear of three-day matches throughout each season, and the centre for Test matches was his special pride. In 1926 during the England and Australian match he overcame a severe trial. On the Monday morning part of the ground, including a narrow strip across the middle of the pitch, was saturated with water from the hose, turned on in some way that always remained a mystery. By careful drying White and his staff got the ground in order so satisfactorily that the game was resumed only ten minutes late. Played in perfect weather, that match produced 1,052 runs while 18 wickets fell. A greater cause for worry was the plague of leather jackets during the 1934 winter. With the help of Austin Martin, of the Oval, and his son, who eventually succeeded Harry White at Lord's, this trouble was dealt with satisfactorily. Harry White played regularly for Hertfordshire from 1894, and after a modest start became the best all-round player for the county, taking many wickets each season and scoring freely for a side that often showed marked weaknesses. In 1909, when he finished county cricket, he headed the batting averages with 37.58 and made the only century for Hertfordshire, while his bowling earned 93 wickets at just over twelve runs apiece, Coleman, his chief helper, taking 40 at 16.90 each. Bowling medium-pace right-hand, White was very good on sticky wickets.

WIREN, MR. ANDERS FERDINAND, a solicitor of Karori, New Zealand, died on August 23, aged 78. A vice-president and member of the Wellington Cricket Association Committee for many years, he kept valuable information regarding the game in New Zealand, and sent regularly details of players for use in Wisden Obituary. Closely interested in all sport, he was president of the Wellington Rugby Football Union.

WOODHEAD, MR. FRANK ELLIS, who played a little for Yorkshire from 1892 to 1894, died at Huddersfield, his native town, on August 25, aged 75. He averaged 11.72 for eleven completed innings. Going up to Cambridge from Loretto, where he created a record average when captain, he appeared in the Freshmen's match of 1889 but was never in the running for a Blue. For Huddersfield in the West Riding League he did well as batsman and bowler, George Hirst, of Yorkshire and England fame, holding a high opinion of his all-round ability. Proficient at most games, he excelled as a wing three-quarter until a knee injury compelled him to give up Rugby football. Three times he won the Amateur Golf Championship of Wales, and of Yorkshire four times. He played cricket for touring teams in Canada and Holland.

WOODHOUSE, MR. LAURANCE, a member of the Haileybury eleven in 1890 and 1891, died on September 10, aged 70. He wrote cricket for the Daily Mail during the early years of the century. Knowledge of the game enabled him to describe peculiarities of batsmen and bowlers with a proper appreciation of true merit in style and execution.

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