Lives in Cricket No 18 - FR Foster

Chapter Seven Vicissitudes down to war On the party’s return home a banquet was organised by MCC at the Hotel Cecil, off the Strand. At the MCC annual general meeting at Lord’s on 1 May 1912, Foster, as an amateur teammember, accepted MCC membership. Not a lasting honour unfortunately; by 1918 he had disappeared from the members’ list, never to return. Meanwhile Warwicks organised a dinner for Foster, Kinneir and Smith. A profit of £510 was earmarked for ground improvements and 300 new members were announced, due, it was claimed to the 1911 successes, but more likely because of one man, Frank Foster. Finally Middlesex were to be played in 1912 – at last! Ominously Foster stated this was to be his last season; he should not have toured Australia and that he would definitely retire. He was described as a ‘retiring’ type, but one feels this talk was that of a troubled soul. The 1912 season started with Foster and Smith playing in a ‘Test Trial’ for which there seemed little point. Then it was back to the Championship and Warwicks began their title defence with three wins out of three; most satisfactory obviously, though Foster was having a quiet time. Then another Test Trial: Foster contributed to his side’s innings win with a bright 43 and six wickets but the futility of the match was emphasised by the inclusion of the 40-year-old Kent leg spinner D.W.Carr. He had played with limited success against Australia in 1909 and now, three years older and more portly, here he was again. Carr’s figures were none for 91 this time. In 1909 critics felt the selectors had taken leave of their senses over Carr, but now they seemed lost for words. From farce to sadness; Frank Field had been chosen for The Rest but failed to turn up for no announced reason. In fact the invitation never reached Field. It had been sent to Edgbaston while Field was taking advantage of a short break between matches, resting in the country. He never had another chance. Warwicks then took on Worcestershire, who had lost all three early matches. With Foster bowling brilliantly to take 11 for 131, Worcestershire capitulated. Four wins out of four and top of the table; a repeat of 1911? Sadly, far from it: something now went wrong and things were never the same again. There was however a break from the Championship with the Australian tourists, over here with South Africa for the first, and last, triangular tournament, coming to Edgbaston. Warwicks batted indifferently in both innings but so did the tourists and Foster’s incisive leg-theory brought him first innings figures of seven for 94 in 34 overs. Australia hung on for the draw. Bardsley confirmed his reputation as Foster’s ‘rabbit’ and Macartney 67