Lives in Cricket No 15 - Michael Falcon

was apparently so uncomfortable at being hemmed in by the accurate nature of the bowling and the superlative nature of the fielding that he played an impatient slash and missed a straight one. This was, however, Michael Falcon’s last positive contribution to the match as (perhaps tiring) he suddenly lost his length, became expensive and had to be replaced by Faulkner. The South African proceeded to aid Gibson in running through the remainder of the Australians, leaving the England XI victorious by 28 runs. Despite all his Test experience, it was undoubtedly one of the high points of Archie MacLaren’s career, ranking alongside his first-class quadruple century against Somerset in 1895. Falcon and Gibson, with respectively eight and six wickets in the match, reached high points and their performances add to the debate as to whether they should have gone on to reach Test status (of which more below in Chapter Nine). Hubert Ashton’s innings was 64 At His Peak: 1919-1929 Against the odds. The all-amateur ‘England XI’ which beat Warwick Armstrong’s mighty Australians at Eastbourne in August 1921. Standing (l to r): G.Ashton, H.Ashton, A.P.F.Chapman, G.E.C.Wood (wk), C.T.Ashton. Seated: G.A.Faulkner, A.C.MacLaren (capt), G.N.Foster, M.Falcon. On the ground: C.H.Gibson. W.Brearley, injured on the first day, is missing.