Lives in Cricket No 18 - FR Foster

support from a 20-year-old debutant George Byrne, a nephew of ex-skipper Fred Byrne, who was brought on late and finished off the innings by dismissing the last three batters in four balls. Sadly Byrne’s self-discipline did not match his talent. There was an incident involving a large potted plant at a hotel at Hastings late in the season and he played no more. A fine stand of 122 between Baker and Foster, whose restrained 56, his first half-century since early May, was ended by an unlucky run out, enabled Warwicks to set a target of 240 in more than a day. Then Foster, dispensing with his short-leg fielders, bowling slower than usual and turning the ball considerably from leg caused an after-lunch collapse, sending Middlesex to defeat with six for 29 in 21.4 overs, the last four wickets for seven runs in 28 balls. Rarely had he bowled with so much thought. Strange it was that this unbelievably talented cricketer did not revert to slow spin more often. Foster and Smith now travelled to Old Trafford for the second Australian Test – a waste of everyone’s time, rain allowing a mere five hours play: the bad weather followed them, and the rest of Warwicks’ players over the Pennines to Hull. On a diabolical wicket Hirst and Drake skittled Warwicks for 59. Foster, seven for 42, and Field, three for 40, then sent Yorkshire packing for 88 and Warwicks reached 64 for three second time around before the sorry business, played after, during and before rain was called off. Worcestershire now came to Edgbaston. The Pear County were not having a good season – they finished bottom – whereas Warwicks retained realistic ambitions of a high place. Foster gave Worcestershire first use of a slow wicket, a shrewd move with no obvious motive and Collin Langley, first change, ran riot with his medium pace. His eight for 29 was not only a career best but remains an innings best for either side at Edgbaston in the series. Worcestershire were dismissed for 126, Warwicks replied with 171, before rain again intervened to ruin the game. Then Gloucestershire and despite Warwicks posting a total of more than 300 for the first time in the season at their headquarters, rain was again the victor. Foster’s single wicket, for 50 runs, was his hundredth of the season. The county now enjoyed a break while Foster and Tiger travelled to The Oval for the third South African Test. London had been as badly hit as anywhere by the wet weather. South Africa chose first use of a damp and unreliable wicket. Barnes and Woolley, five wickets apiece, were lethal and South Africa were dismissed for 95. Foster, six overs for 15 runs, may have felt cheated. England’s reply was better but they eventually slumped to 176 all out against Faulkner’s leg spin. The wicket on day two was a minefield, Barnes found ‘spots’ for his leg and off breaks, only left-hander Dave Nourse (42) exceeded ten, and South Africa were all out 93, with Barnes taking eight for 29 in 16.4 overs. They had been whitewashed by England, finding the weather and Barnes, with 34 wickets in three Test matches, average 8.29, too much. Foster again had little opportunity but did take a return catch to dismiss Nourse. The Edgbaston season finished with a visit from Surrey, another side with early title aspirations but now, like their hosts, sinking without trace. Vicissitudes down to war 71