Lives in Cricket No 18 - FR Foster

one-a-minute, was unluckily bowled by a Jack Sharp ‘shooter’. No matter, Warwicks went on to 422, and a lead of 212. With nearly a day and a half left, Lancashire would have hoped to aim for a safe target and at 141 for two, with John Tyldesley and Sharp going well. Perhaps they would have been optimistic. A fighting draw seemed a distinct possibility; however, that 141 for two in late afternoon became 172 all out next morning, seven of the last eight wickets falling to Field, during which time he conceded only 12 runs. In another fantastic performance Warwicks had destroyed a team on the fringe of the title race and confirmed, beyond doubt, their title credentials. Team and supporters would have left Edgbaston after the season’s final home match light of heart and step. For the first time since May they had an average of more than 70% of points taken against points possible. Victory in their final two matches – both away, though Leicestershire and Northamptonshire were hardly the stiffest opposition – and long-time leaders Kent needed to win three of their last four games and remain unbeaten, as did Middlesex should Kent falter. Already the whinges were being dusted off. ‘The fixture list was unfair’, yet had the southern counties wished to play Warwicks they could have done so. In addition more interest should have been shown in trying to ensure all counties played each other. So, Leicestershire at Hinckley; another Saturday start and Warwicks’ first first-class game in Leicestershire outside the county town. For those interested in irrelevancies the first match played by a team styling itself ‘Warwickshire’ was against ‘Leicestershire’ on Gosford Green, Coventry some 68 years earlier almost to the day. ‘Warwickshire’ won that one; victory this time would be somewhat sweeter. Warwicks won the toss and went off like an express train. Smith and Kinneir batted well but the innings really took off when Foster joined Charlesworth and scored 40 of a stand of 72 in 35 minutes. Charlesworth, 142 out of 255 in 150 minutes, played a massive part in his side’s all out 365. The strong position was confirmed when Foster (four for 57) and Field (six for 83) were the main architects of Leicestershire’s all out 164. One bright spot for the home team was C.J.B.Wood’s unbeaten 54, which meant his carrying his bat through the innings for a record thirteenth time, and the fifth time in 1911 alone. He didn’t win many matches but certainly stayed there. Possibly the only other thing Wood took out of the match was commercial; Wood was a coal merchant and Joe Phillips, a surprise choice for the visitors, contributed little to the cricket, but he managed a nearby colliery. Leicestershire followed on and again failed dismally. Only a third-wicket stand of 50 between Harry Whitehead, a fine batsman but consistent underperformer and Cecil Boden, an amateur whose cricket was nipped in the bud by his entering the Church, 39 detained Foster’s men for long and Tell Kent from me she hath lost 43 39 Rev Cecil Boden’s performances suggest he made the right decision to take Holy Orders. In eleven first-class matches for Leicestershire, spread over three seasons, he scored 196 runs at 10.31. Living until 1981 he had ample time to reflect on the matter.