Famous Cricketers No 63 - A.O.Jones

Introduction “He ran sideways for over 20 yards to a big hit by Mr. Cotgrave and, while still on the run, he stretched out his arm to its fullest extent and just managed to secure the ball close to the ground. It was a magnificent bit of fielding and was loudly applauded.” This is not an extract from Victorian fiction, rather, it is taken from the Bedfordshire Mercury of 5th September 1891 and refers to the young A.O.Jones. He was nineteen years old and playing for R.Roger’s XI against W.F.Brown’s XI, on the Town Cricket Club Ground in Bedford. P.F.Warner wrote in 1924 that he, Jones, was “one of the best of captains in the field, and adept in the art of placing the field. He possessed much of the electric qualities of A.N.Hornby, and no eleven could by any stretch of the imagination be slack or listless under his leadership. His very walk was a physical tonic and an inspiration to energetic action. A glorious fieldsman himself in any position, he insisted on keenness and the most unremitting attention in this department of the game.” At a dinner in 1908, given in his honour by the Old Boys of his school, Bedford Modern, H.R.Orr, said that he had never seen a more alive fielder than A.O.Jones and that it was impossible to tell “from his manner whether he was playing for a losing or a winning side.” The speaker also said that one of the main reasons why Nottinghamshire had won the County Championship the year before was the excellence of their fielding, “and who set the example in the fielding but A.O.Jones? Notts were not recognised as a fielding side before he took over the captaincy.” In 1939, George Gunn recollected the Championship win of 1907. “Where a man was wanted, where there was hard work to be done, there you found A.O.Jones.” The life of Arthur Owen Jones contained much triumph, as well as times of tragedy. He was held in great affection by a wide variety of people who spoke of him in glowing terms, during his life, at his death and in the years subsequent. The scorecards called him “Mr.A.O.Jones”. Most books refer to him as “A.O.Jones”. Sometimes he is called “Jones”, “Mr.Jones” or “Jonah”. He acquired this nickname during his University days. He is only ever called “Arthur Jones” in books on rugby. “Arthur Owen Jones” is only used on official documents, such as his certificates of birth, marriage, death and burial. It is also on the memorial on his grave. A.O.Jones is best remembered for his exploits for Nottinghamshire County Cricket Club, for whom he played between 1892 and 1914. He was famous for his audacious fielding, his determined hitting and for his captaincy of the County, in particular the winning of the Championship in 1907. He was also a good enough bowler on his day to puzzle and dismiss the best of his contemporaries. Arthur Owen Jones was born in the Rectory, in the Nottinghamshire village of Shelton, on 16th August 1872. He attended Bedford Modern School from 1881 to 1890, for whom he played cricket, rugby and fives. In 1891 he played a few matches for Bedfordshire. That year he commenced his studies at Jesus College, Cambridge, playing for the University in 1892 and gaining his Blue the following year. During his career with Nottinghamshire, he played in twelve Test matches, touring Australia in 1901/02 and, as captain, in 1907/08. He appeared for the Gentlemen against the Players on fourteen occasions and played first-class cricket on forty-six different grounds. He was, for two years, a master at Oakham School, and played much rugby for various teams, particularly Bedford and Leicester. He was an international rugby referee and played some soccer. His obituary in the Dunstable Borough Gazette says, “Mr Jones was also a splendid billiard player and was known to be a smart lawn-tennis ‘hand’.” He died in Dunstable on 21st December 1914. His 3