Double Headers

24 Only three had played as many as 30 first-class matches (the equivalent of one full county season), and only Shuter had had a career of any real length – and even that had to all intents and purposes ended 16 years previously. This may have been virtually as strong a side as Surrey could put out for this fixture, given that there was another match at The Oval (though if Hayward had been able to turn out despite his lameness, and if Razor Smith had not been overlooked for whatever reason, it would surely have been stronger). But it was hardly one to put the fear of heavy defeat into their opponents. PLAY! The following descriptions of play are taken principally from the contemporary reports in the Manchester Guardian, The Times, the edition of ‘Cricket’ dated 24 June 1909, and the Reigate-based Surrey Mirror. Complete scorecards of the two matches are included on pages 38 and 39. Day 1 – Monday 21 June 1909 At both The Oval and Reigate the weather when the games started was dull and cool, with conditions forecast to get worse as the matches progressed. Both the visiting sides won the toss and chose to bat, and both took full advantage. At The Oval the biggest crowd of the season so far was in attendance - not surprising for a match between the sides currently second and third in the Championship. They saw Lancashire bat until twenty minutes before the close, when they were all out for 343, made at a respectable 3.3 runs per over. Star of the show was Jack Sharp, who should have been stumped off the bowling of Ernie Hayes when he had made only 8, but went on to a dominating 157, scored in around 3½ hours with 14 fours. His runs were made out of a reported 237 added while he was at the crease - although this does not tally with the generally-accepted fall of wicket details, which Surrey in 1909 A Surrey squad of 1908, including two of those who played at Reigate the following year, and six who played in the simultaneous match at The Oval. Standing, l to r: H.G.Blacklidge, A.Ducat, G.J.W.Platt, A.Marshal, J.W.Hitch, H.Strudwick, F.Boyington (scorer); seated: E.G.Hayes, J.B.Hobbs, H.D.G.Leveson Gower, T.W.Hayward, F.C.Holland. (Courtesy of Surrey CCC)