Lives in Cricket No 18 - FR Foster

some locals rowed out to the ship and regaled the ‘prisoners’ with a rendering of ‘God save the King’. It was barely recognisable and the players responded by throwing coins down the ends of the accompanying ‘orchestra’s’ instruments. At Port Said, the party was allowed ashore for three hours; the heat was intense and Warner in particular felt drained. The party arrived at Colombo on 21 October and pith helmets were supplied for protection. Among the welcoming group were well-known cricketers Frank Crawford of Leicestershire and Somerset’s W.T.Greswell, both there planting tea. Greswell in particular found little satisfaction, suffered depression and on his return to England became increasingly eccentric. MCC won a light-hearted one-day match by 213 to 59; Foster did his bit with a merry 36 and three cheap wickets. The party set sail for Fremantle, docking there on 31 October. Foster seems to have enjoyed the voyage with Douglas acting as his protector. Ship’s games, eating, drinking, dancing and flirting; all were to Foster’s liking. He came close to disaster at the Colombo Club. After a drinking session and a meal, ‘… I signed so many chits I was under the Under the Southern Cross 54 England expects. Foster was sent to win The Ashes.