Lives in Cricket No 18 - FR Foster

[Unfortunately it has not been possible to find an official scorebook but the above, up to the dismissal of Minnett was found by the master Australian researcher Charlie Wat in the Adelaide Register . Despite painstaking match reports it is not possible to work out the remainder of the analysis though this writer feels it likely that Foster conceded 4 and 1 to Matthews in the over after dismissing Minnett.] Armstrong top scored with 33 before being bowled trying to dab Foster to leg but was lucky to avoid a ‘duck’ when Foster fell over trying to take a return catch. Barnes, with three for 71, was the other main bowler and they were well supported in the field, especially by Tiger Smith who caught a Bardsley outside edge off Barnes and later stumped Clem Hill brilliantly on the leg side off Foster. The demise of Hill especially emphasised the value of familiarity between bowler and keeper. Before play Foster said to Smith that he had noticed when playing a leg glide, Hill dragged his back foot in front of the crease so if he was bowling when Hill came in Tiger was to creep up to the stumps as Foster ran up for his first ball and station himself close in outside leg stump. First ball was perfect for a Hill leg glide; out he waltzed thinking Smith was standing back, missed the ball and was stumped by a foot. Foster, ever after regarded his bowling in this innings as the best of his career. England then amassed 501 in eight and a half hours, with Hobbs’ and Rhodes’ first-wicket stand of 147 taking them past the Australian total on the second morning. Dropped at least five times, Hobbs went on to 187 in 334 minutes and he became the first Test batsman to exceed 300 runs without dismissal. Later in the innings Foster scored 71 in 134 minutes, a quality innings more restrained than usual that remained his best Test score. The end was disappointing, Armstrong bowling him with a half volley and Foster later admitted he had lost concentration through beginning to think about the possibilities of a maiden Test century. He never had a better chance. Some late amusement was caused by Tiger Smith’s method of playing Hordern’s spin. He repeatedly marched up the wicket as the ball was bowled, provoking Hordern to ask why he didn’t just take it out of his hand. Smith was eventually caught by Vine, substituting for Trumper, who had a leg injury. Some debate was caused during England’s innings about Hordern and Kelleway using resin on their fingers. Australia fought back, but their second innings total of 476 must have disappointed. Several players batted well but it remained for many years the best Test score devoid of a century. Hill maintained his habit of getting out in the nineties, though the England players felt he had been stumped for a duck, Hill did not walk and umpire George Watson declined the appeal. It takes a brave umpire to give the local hero and captain a ‘pair’. Best knock came from wicket-keeper Sammy Carter. Sent in as nightwatchman he scored 72, annoying the bowlers with a mixture of cuts and snicks. Perhaps they had forgotten Carter was from Halifax. Although bowling Bardsley with a fast leg break, Foster took only one wicket for 103 Under the Southern Cross 59