Lives in Cricket No 15 - Michael Falcon

Some matches were, of course, more important than others: four stand out from the crowd. These were the All-Edrich XI v G.E.Pilch’s XI, in 1947; Norfolk v F.G.Mann’s XI, in 1951; Norfolk XI v the All-Edrich XI, in 1955; and M.Falcon’s XI v Norwich Union, in 1959. In the match between the All-Edrich XI and George Pilch’s XI in September 1947, played in front of a crowd of 4,500, Eric Edrich made one of the splendid centuries that all too infrequently graced his career. His 129 contained five sixes and 12 fours and led to a total of 283 for 6 declared. The bowlers’ figures suffered, with the honourable exception of Michael Falcon who, receiving a fine welcome from the crowd when he took the ball, returned figures of 18-8-29-3, Eric Edrich being among his victims. In the second match, arranged in celebration of the Festival of Britain, George Mann (son of Falcon’s old team-mate Frank Mann) turned up at Lakenham with ten men due to a late call-off and asked Falcon if he fancied a game, an invitation which of course was accepted. Falcon was not needed to bat in Mann’s first innings but, when Norfolk had their knock, Mann brought him on as second change. Again being greeted with a warm ovation from the crowd, Falcon produced some steady bowling, returning figures of 12-2-42-1. In Mann’s XI second innings Falcon was promoted to four, being accorded another ovation. He made only nine, but one drive through the covers brought back memories. 110 Life After Big-Time Cricket F.G.Mann’s XI against Norfolk, with one E.W.Swanton at the crease, in a Festival of Britain match at Lakenham in 1951. Falcon played for Mann’s side as a ‘last-minute’ call-up.