Lives in Cricket No 14 - Jack Bond

Surrey match was left drawn. Has there been an attack of greater potency in the annals of county cricket? Batting first, Lancashire began well. There was 109 from Jack Ikin, and it was not until midway through the final session that the third wicket fell with the score on 218. That summer, Lock would take 149 wickets at 12.34 in the Championship. He was bowling when Jack came in – from the downstairs dressing room, where he kept his kit. He remembers a good crowd, perhaps 15,000, to see the champion county. ‘Obviously I was quite apprehensive, but when I was walking to the wicket Peter May said, “Good afternoon, Jack.” It’s always stuck in my mind, more shock than anything. I’d never met him before, only seen pictures of him as England captain. A perfect gentleman, apparently he always found out if there was a new player he hadn’t met. Then there was all the build-up in the papers – they were talking of me as another Winston Place. I think I suffered from a bit of shell shock.’ His innings lasted only a few balls: Bond, J.D. c Stewart b Lock 0. ‘It seemed a long way out, but it seemed a lot longer coming back when I’d got a duck.’ In 4.1 overs Lock took six wickets to end with eight for 82 as Lancashire were all out for 248. There was a catch for Jack off Roy Tattersall as Surrey conceded a 30-run lead. Then their bowlers got to work again. This time Lock and Laker shared the spoils as Lancashire could manage only 125, with Jack scoring just one before offering a return catch to Lock. The Surrey batsmen then cruised to a seven-wicket win. An unchanged team was named for the weekend visit of Glamorgan. ‘I’d just met Stuart Surridge and my second match was against Glamorgan with Wilf Wooller. Quite a baptism!’ Once again Ikin was in fine form with 107 and Cyril Washbrook was on his way to 131 when Jack joined him at 257 for four. The pair added 72 in good time, Jack’s 25 helping to an overnight declaration at 362 for nine. Glamorgan batted slowly throughout Monday, and on Tuesday it rained, so Jack’s sortie into first-class cricket ended in anti-climax – apart from his pay packet. His £10 a week salary was always topped up by £1 if he played a minor county game, but he well remembers the difference two first team matches made as he counted what was in his envelope. ‘I think I got £29 that week!’ His first county season behind him, Jack turned to his other great love – football. He resumed playing as a wing half for his Methodist club in the local league. ‘People from that league had gone on to 28 ‘You’re a professional cricketer now’