100 Years Ago: 22 July 1924
by John Ward
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Day 3
Chesterfield: Derbyshire v Northamptonshire
No Play — Match Abandoned
DERBYSHIRE 290. NORTHAMPTONSHIRE 20/3 (W H Denton 11*; W Bestwick 2 wkts). Match drawn — no result, no points.
There was sunshine in the morning, and although the wicket was still too wet for play there were hopes of play in the afternoon. However the sky later clouded over again, the light faded, rain began to fall again and the match was dead and drowned with no play possible after the first day. Derbyshire will be very disappointed, as they are still seeking their first victory of the season and they had put themselves in a strong position on Saturday.
Leyton: Essex v Hampshire
Russell’s Bowling Rocks Hampshire
ESSEX 309 and 6/2. HAMPSHIRE 226 (W R D Shirley 57, H L V Day 29, C P Mead 20, H A W Bowell 38, J A Newman 21; J W H T Douglas 2/45, C A G Russell 5/36). Match drawn: Essex 3 points, Hampshire 1. Overnight score was: Hampshire (1) 23/0 (Kennedy 12*, Shirley 9*).
The pitch was rather awkward yesterday after all the rain and Hampshire did not find the going easy, but under Lionel Tennyson’s aggressive captaincy they did their best to push for a victory. Alec Kennedy was out immediately, but William Shirley and Harold Day both played aggressive innings and Hampshire were doing well to reach 121 with only two wickets down. But at that point Shirley and Philip Mead were both dismissed, and after that Hampshire were struggling all the way, except perhaps when Alex Bowell and Jack Newman made a belated stand. The damage was caused by the off-cutters of Jack Russell, which he spun and sometimes bounced quite sharply, his first wicket being that of Mead, who played no stroke to a ball that broke back in, the wrong way for a left-hander, and bowled him.
By the time Hampshire had been bowled out for a deficit of 83 on the first innings, the weather and the pitch had both worsened, and when Essex went in again Russell was bowled by Kennedy without a run on the board with a ball that he appeared hardly to see at all in the bad light. The teams did try to keep the game going just out of consideration for the spectators now, but soon had to give up.
Cheltenham: Gloucestershire v Glamorgan
Spin Now Wins for Gloucestershire
GLOUCESTERSHIRE 224 and 130/3 dec (A E Dipper 34, B H Lyon 31, W R Hammond 18*, H Smith 31*). GLAMORGAN 54 and 98 (N V H Riches 44, W E Bates 31; C W L Parker 4/39, E G Dennett 5/28). Gloucestershire won by 202 runs. Overnight score (first day) was: Gloucestershire (2) 52/0 (Dipper 32*, Lyon 20*).
Play started on time at Cheltenham this morning, to the relief of Gloucestershire, who were 222 ahead and could probably have declared immediately and won the match. However, trusting that the weather would hold long enough, Douglas Robinson continued to bat on a slow, easy-paced pitch. Three wickets went down while 32 runs were added in an hour, but the batsmen stayed in long enough for Robinson to declare when the lead reached 300. Harry Smith, after his dour first innings, this time hit out so well that he outscored Wally Hammond. Glamorgan were set 301 to win in just under five hours, which would be miracle territory for them, however easy the pitch.
However, they started very confidently, with Norman Riches and Eddie Bates opening the innings together so well that they put on 55 without being parted in 40 minutes before lunch. But the sun had now come out to shine on the wet pitch and turning it vicious. The rest of the batting crashed so completely that the last nine wickets went down for only 18 runs in 35 minutes: 80 for one became 98 all out. The bowlers to do most of the damage this time were the left-arm spinners Charlie Parker and George Dennett. The match was over just after three o’clock. It was remarkable that Hammond and Tom Goddard took all ten wickets to fall in the first innings, but three different bowlers shared the ten among them in the second. Hammond did not bowl this time and Goddard sent down only three unsuccessful overs. Smith after lunch took two catches and two stumpings, giving him eight dismissals in the match.
Blackheath: Kent v Surrey (Jack Hubble’s Benefit)
Surrey Frustrated by Rain
SURREY 262 and 217/8 dec (A Jeacocke 38, D R Jardine 49, W J Abel 38, H A Peach 28; G C Collins 2/41, A P Freeman 3/56, A C Wright 2/11). KENT 149 and 13/1. Match drawn (Surrey 3 pts, Kent 1 pt). Overnight score was: Kent (1) 149 all out.
Surrey’s obvious aim today was, beginning 113 runs ahead, to build a big lead in their second innings and then to bowl Kent out a second time, but they were frustrated by rain. They made a poor start as George Collins again put on his Superman outfit and removed the two great Surrey openers, Jack Hobbs (2) and Andy Sandham (0), to catches at short leg; ironically, Hobbs was actually caught there by Bill Hitch, fielding as a substitute for Kent. Although Alfred Jeacocke scored an attacking 38 after being dropped twice, five wickets were down for 75 runs. Douglas Jardine bailed them out with a steady, determined innings, helped by the very unstable but fortunate Willie Abel and then an aggressive Alan Peach.
When Jardine was out Percy Fender declared, setting Kent 331 to make to win in 3½ hours, although a storm was approaching. One disadvantage of the county championship points system which allows three points for a first-innings lead in a drawn match, but only five for a victory, is that it dissuades even enterprising captain like Fender from taking any risks in their declarations for fear of losing their three points. As it was, the Kent second innings lasted for only 20 minutes before the storm arrived. The Rectory ground escaped the worst of it and got only light rain, but it lasted long enough to end the match.
Manchester: Lancashire v Worcestershire
No Play — Rain
WORCESTERSHIRE 165. LANCASHIRE 276/8. Match drawn (Lancashire 3 pts, Worcestershire 1 pt).
Steady rain throughout the night left the pitch so saturated that the decision to abandon the match as a draw was taken at 1.30 today. Even had it been dry, play would not have been possible as the ground was covered in half-darkness all the time.
Lord’s: Middlesex v South Africans
Batting Practice for Tourists
MIDDLESEX 328. SOUTH AFRICANS 139/2 (J M M Commaille 21, T A Ward 44, M J Susskind 28*, A W Nourse 19*). Match drawn. Overnight score (first day) was: Middlesex 328 all out.
Play was able to start on time today, although an outright result in this match was out of the question barring two major batting collapses by the South African batsmen — which was perhaps possible if there was enough sun to turn the pitch sticky. This did not happen and the pitch played well, consistent in pace and bounce, although it gave the bowlers some turn. The Middlesex bowlers on the whole did not bowl particularly well, though, and the South African batsmen were able to get some very useful practice. Mick Commaille and Tommy Ward began with an opening partnership of 56 in just under an hour, and at lunch time Manfred Susskind and Dave Nourse had settled in well. Ten minutes after lunch, though, a violent thunderstorm came on and that ended the match.
Nottingham: Nottinghamshire v Yorkshire
Holmes Stands Alone as Yorkshire Avoid Penalty
NOTTINGHAMSHIRE 216. YORKSHIRE 206/9 (P Holmes 112, W Rhodes 27, E Robinson 19, G G Macaulay 11*; F Barratt 3/44, T L Richmond 4/88). Match drawn — no result. Overnight score (first day) was: Yorkshire (1) 86/3 (Holmes 56*, Rhodes 3*).
Probably to the relief of both teams, rain ended this match just as the climax of the fight for first-innings points was about to be concluded. There had been a stern struggle all morning between the teams, with the overnight (over three nights, to be precise) partnership of Percy Holmes and Wilfred Rhodes eventually realizing 56 for the fourth wicket before the latter went. As long as Holmes was there, Yorkshire looked like going ahead on the first innings, but there were shocks just before lunch, when Emmott Robinson was out at 188, and then on 199 Holmes was brilliantly caught at third slip by Arthur Carr off Fred Barratt, who then had Geoffrey Wilson caught at the wicket first ball; eight wickets were down and lunch was taken. After lunch George Macaulay scored a few runs but Abe Waddington was run out at 206, with 11 runs still wanted for the lead. At this point, before the last man Arthur Dolphin could reach the wicket, the storm broke and ended the match.
Exciting though it was, under the present points system the only way either side could avoid a drop in percentage was if Nottinghamshire won three first-innings points, but the increase in percentage would have been only slight. Any other result would have seen both sides drop their percentage, so both teams were probably quite happy to abandon the match and have it eliminated from the championship table. But for the spectators it was a disappointing anticlimax.
Dundee: Scotland v Ireland
Slight Advantage Scotland, but Drawn Match
IRELAND 134 (G N B Kelly 20*; C S Scobie 2/45, G L D Hole 5/42) and 128/7 (P W Jackson 23, R J H Lambert 36*, C E McCausland 23; W W Anderson 4/48, G L D Hole 2/12). SCOTLAND 178 (W N Walker 46, C S Paterson 40, W W Anderson 23; W Allen 2/31, J G Heaslip 5/67, R J H Lambert 2/41). Match drawn. Overnight score (first day) was: Ireland (1) 125/8 (G N B Kelly 12*, Kennedy 0*).
The loss of the second day’s play meant no result was possible in this match. The Ireland first innings was completed in ten minutes this morning, and Scotland went in. They lost their great batsman John Kerr for 7, but William Walker was the backbone of the innings. There was a close fight for the first-innings lead, with eight wickets going down for 100, but Scotland’s last three batsmen did very well to take the total to 178. Ireland had only a draw to play for in 2½ hours, and Bob Lambert played the major part in achieving this, although he was dropped at 10, which may just have cost Scotland the match, as he stayed unbeaten for 90 minutes altogether. Ireland finished 94 runs ahead with three wickets in hand.
Weston-super-Mare: Somerset v Sussex
Six in a Row for Sussex
SUSSEX 58 and 101 (H L Wilson 43*, J E Frazer 15, H E Roberts 19; J J Bridges 3/44, H S R Critchley-Salmonson 2/21, J C White 4/29). SOMERSET 321/7 dec. Somerset won by an innings and 162 runs. Overnight score was: Sussex (2) 13/2 (Cornford 2*, Wilson 0*).
Sussex went down to their sixth successive defeat today at Weston-super-Mare. They began the day knowing that probably only rain could save them from defeat, but apart from the former captain Herbert Wilson, and briefly John Frazer, their remaining top batsmen gave in without a fight, mainly to the left-arm spin of Jack White, who was deadly accurate and spun the ball sharply. With George Cox unable to bat with an injured hand, eight wickets were down for 72, but the last available batsman, Henry Roberts, hit out to share with Wilson the highest partnership of the innings and take the score past 100, about the only consolation Sussex could take with them today. Play lasted for 1¾ hours today and ended just before lunch.
Birmingham: Warwickshire v Leicestershire
Howell Takes Warwickshire Close to Victory
LEICESTERSHIRE 187 and 81 (G L Berry 12, W E Astill 33, A W Shipman 12*; H Howell 5/33, N E Partridge 4/37). WARWICKSHIRE 136 (G W Stephens 19; A Skelding 5/40, W E Astill 2/46, G Geary 3/32) and 67/2 (E J Smith 16, F R Santall 40*). Match drawn. Overnight score (first day) was: Warwickshire (1) 96/6 (Stevens 8*).
It was another day of batting failures. Leicestershire bowled out Warwickshire in their first innings for 136 and thus held a lead of 51 runs. That was what saved them in the end, as they had a disastrous second innings, making only 81 altogether. Once again Ewart Astill was by a long way the highest scorer. Harry Howell, perhaps stung by being overshadowed by Alec Skelding on the first day, turned on the pace and bowled superbly, well supported by Norman Partridge. A last-wicket partnership of 11 in half an hour between the pace bowlers Alan Shipman and Alec Skelding probably proved crucial in the end. Warwickshire needed 133 to win in an hour and 20 minutes, giving them a good chance and setting up an interesting finish — if only there had been more time. Warwickshire did try to push the score along, but in the end neither side wanted the extra half-hour, much to the annoyance of the crowd.
TEAM TO AUSTRALIA
Ten of the 15 players who will tour Australia this winter have been decided. They are as follows:
*Arthur Gilligan, Percy Chapman, Jack Bryan, Herbert Sutcliffe, Andy Sandham, Frank Woolley, Patsy Hendren, Maurice Tate, Dick Tyldesley and +Herbert Strudwick.
The five remaining names will be announced at a later date. Jack Hobbs and (perhaps) Jack Hearne are not available for the tour for reasons of business and health. The manager will be Frederick Toone, the Yorkshire secretary.
It is reported that Frank Mann, in deference to his position as captain of the last M.C.C. touring team abroad, to South Africa in 1922/23, was invited to captain this team, but declined, officially owing to business reasons. It is generally believed, however, that he is aware of his limitations as a player and decided it would be the wisest and correct course to take to decline.
According to the Times: “M.C.C.’s agreement with the professional members of the team stipulates for physical fitness up to seven days before leaving England. The remuneration has been fixed at £400 and, should the tour prove a financial success, M.C.C. may make a bonus on the basis of merit and discipline on the recommendation of the captain and manager. In addition to his sea passage, railway fares, travelling expenses, and board and lodging, each player will receive for personal expenses £1 10s per week on board ship and £2 per week on land.” No doubt the amateurs will get a better deal . . .
County championship positions: Middlesex 75.38, Yorkshire 71.42, Surrey 68.33, Lancashire 67.05, Kent 57.50, Somerset 56.00, Nottinghamshire 53.84, Sussex 52.50.
TOMORROW’S MATCHES (first-class)
Tourist Match:
Sunderland: Durham v South Africans (two-day, not first-class)
County Championship:
Derby: Derbyshire v Gloucestershire
Bournemouth: Hampshire v Lancashire
Leicester: Leicestershire v Kent
Weston-super-Mare: Somerset v Middlesex
Hove: Sussex v Warwickshire
Bradford: Yorkshire v Glamorgan
24 July: Army v Navy, at Lord’s
No matches: Essex, Northamptonshire, Nottinghamshire, Surrey and Worcestershire.
Assuming the weather allows them, Yorkshire are expected to improve their percentage with a victory over Glamorgan, but Middlesex may have a more difficult task against a confident Somerset team. This may be the most interesting match of the week, unless Hampshire can regain their real form in their match against Lancashire.
WEATHER FORECAST: The worst of the rain seems to have retreated for now.
John Ward is an ACS member and a long-serving Zimbabwean cricket statistician. If you would like to contribute to this newsletter, please either respond to the email in which you received it, or leave a comment below.