Lives in Cricket No 18 - FR Foster

Chapter Four Young cricketer making his way Cricket magazine – it styled itself a ‘weekly record of the game’ – reported on 2 July 1908 that ‘F.R.Foster, a useful batsman and slow left-hand bowler from Hall Green made his debut for Warwicks in this match and obtained six wickets.’ Not quite accurate but Foster’s first appearance was duly noted. The opponents were Derbyshire at the Racecourse Ground in Derby on 25, 26 and 27 June and he replaced Fred Moorhouse from the team beaten by Yorkshire the day before. Skipper was Tom Fishwick, a frequent deputy but never officially appointed joint-captain, despite what some Warwicks records claim. When the ‘proper’ skipper deigned to play, Fishwick reverted to being an ordinary team member, yet his captaincy record was better than any he understudied. Foster was fortunate that Wilkinson and Riddell allowed him time off to play. In unpublished autobiographical notes Foster describes a meeting with C.S.Riddell, one of the partners: I remember Mr C.S.Riddell saying some nice words to me and wishing me the best of luck for my ‘Derby Day’. He also gave me six stamped telegraph forms to send off to him at each lunch and tea interval. I think I am correct in saying that owing to nervousness I hadn’t the pluck to go near the telegraph office so I destroyed those six wires. I was only a baby and very sensitive. Foster also described how one of his jobs was sweeping the floor each night. Once in some horseplay he threw a bundle of stockings at a work mate, only to land a bulls-eye on Colonel Howard Wilkinson, the other partner. ‘“Are you the cricketer?” the Colonel said. “No sir.” I replied. “Dear me, how very unfortunate,” laughed the Colonel as he walked away. Fishwick won the toss and batted. Warwicks’ first three were Quaife, Kinneir and Baker – ‘slow and sure’ Foster described them – who were unlikely to empty the bars but they ensured a good score, 428 in 146 overs. With Derbyshire collapsing and following on, Warwicks were victorious by ten wickets. The tyro played his part. He scored only seven but made a dream start with the ball. Derbyshire were 24 for three, Foster taking two of them. 24 New boy. Foster, aged 19, in his first season with Warwickshire