100 Years Ago: 28 September 1924

Howell the hero in Warwickshire’s rain-soaked season

1924 County Review

WARWICKSHIRE — 9th place

Warwickshire did remarkably well considering how badly the excessive rain ruined their home matches at Edgbaston, and also the fact that their bowling attack was heavily dependent on one man, Howell.  Warwickshire used to have one of county cricket’s best pace-bowling attacks in Howell and Calthorpe, but this season Calthorpe’s bowling declined so seriously that by August Wyatt was taking the new ball opposite Howell, and doing a good job with it.  Even so, Howell bowled so superbly on pitches that were too soft and slow to suit him that he took 122 wickets at 16, more wickets than any three other bowlers in his side.  He played a major part in every one of Warwickshire’s seven victories.  Third-best was Partridge with 31, and he was only available for nine matches.  Wyatt is not really suited to be a frontline bowler, but he plugged away manfully with some success, and it affected his batting, where he averaged only 16.

Calthorpe did have quite a good batting season, as did Parsons, who shared some good opening partnerships with Smith, still one of the best wicket-keepers in the country.  Down the order Stephens played some fine aggressive innings at important times.  Santall again showed great promise that needs to be translated into results, but Bates had a very disappointing season and lost his place when Fiddian-Green became available in August — however the latter did no better.

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