Dimming of the Day

39 Opening Moves On 30 May Frank Tarrant’s benefit match began, but his run of scores did not continue as he was out for nine against Hampshire (though he had earlier taken four wickets). The averages at this point (published no doubt to the disgust of NCK) showed Tarrant unsurprisingly top of the batting, with 821 runs at 81.22. Top of the bowling, with 18 wickets at 11.06, was “Slater” (Archie Slater of Derbyshire) though Tarrant, having the benefit season from heaven, had taken 41 at 16.85. The Times also published the championship table: the figures depended on percentages as not all counties played the same number of games. Middlesex had played three and won three, so were top. Hampshire, remarkably, were second with three wins and a win on first innings in their first four games (though two of the wins had been against Leicestershire). Surrey had won five out of six, though. The Times also reported a win for Eton against “Liverpool” in a one-day match. All, it seemed, was as it should be.