100 Years Ago: 23 September 1924

Lancashire’s unbeaten streak ends with failure of cautious strategy

1924 County Review

LANCASHIRE — 4th place

Lancashire went undefeated in the County Championship right up to mid-August, when Glamorgan caught them unawares and beat them at Swansea.  Up until then Lancashire had taken great pride in their unbeaten record, perhaps too great a pride, as their efforts at times seemed more concerned with avoiding defeat rather than taking a few risks and pushing for victory.  Their top three of Makepeace, Hallows and Ernest Tyldesley were very slow at times; it is in Makepeace’s nature to be a steady anchor to an innings, but the other two are basically strokemakers who rarely play their natural free game.  Indeed Tyldesley in some quarters was accused of playing to pad his batting average so as to impress the England selectors rather than playing the attacking rôle that would enable Lancashire to win more matches — even if they lost a few.

Watson made a good advance as an all-rounder of great value, and Iddon came into the side and showed great promise, especially when the team was in difficulties.  The amateur Pewtress played a few very good innings, but was not often available.  The captain Sharp was one of the more aggressive batsmen, but he retired at the end of the season, and Lancashire now have to scratch around again for a suitable and available amateur to take over the captaincy.

Lancashire’s match-winners were their three outstanding bowlers, Parkin, Dick Tyldesley and McDonald.  The latter was only available when not required by his Lancashire League club Nelson, and the slow pitches did not suit him, but his pace and skill certainly had its effect on his opponents.  There was considerable dissatisfaction, especially from Yorkshire, at Lancashire’s opportunism in seizing him for their team, although officially he was now qualified to play for the county by residence.  Parkin and Tyldesley produced many superb bowling performances on helpful pitches, but when McDonald was unavailable the only real backup they had was from Watson, who did a useful job.  The only other bowler to take more than five wickets was Hickmott, who could not find his form and dropped out of the side.  Duckworth continued to do a fine job as wicket-keeper, made his Test début and was probably unfortunate not to be selected for the tour to Australia.

WARWICKSHIRE APPEAL

The Warwickshire County Cricket Club has sent its members and other supporters an appeal for at least £3000 to make secure the club’s finances after the disastrous wet season of 1924.

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.