Lives in Cricket No 18 - FR Foster

The 1913 season presented a possible difficulty even before it started. Having been appointed coach, Santall was not expected to play much but his semi-retirement led to a strengthening of the team, since his replacement was newly qualified Percy Jeeves who confirmed the wisdom of R.V.Ryder in persuading him to come to Edgbaston. The opening game was with local rivals Worcestershire, played under the grey ruins of Dudley Castle, in even greyer weather. Actually Worcestershire seemed to be having the better of the exchanges until skipper H.K.Foster decided that his own half-century was more important that giving his side a realistic victory chance. When Harry Foster finally declared after his own dismissal for 58 only two hours remained to dismiss Warwicks, who themselves needed an unlikely 260 to win. Smith’s aggressive 66 led a token victory effort before the game petered out to the inevitable draw, with Frank Foster not even bothering to bat. Small wonder he had little respect for the Rev Foster’s boys. First Edgbaston visitors were Leicestershire and a Quaife century and lethal bowling by Jeeves led to an easy win. Unfortunately the early form was not repeated against Derbyshire, despite five first-innings wickets for Foster. Derbyshire needed 261 on the last day and good batting by the amateurs Leonard Oliver and John Chapman, as ever a thorn in the Bears’ paw, saw them home, with Foster strangely subdued, his 18 overs costing 58 runs. Foster had so far scored only 33 runs in five innings and his 11 wickets had come from mainly unimpressive bowling, but any fears about his form and commitment were allayed when they visited Southampton to take on Hampshire. Foster won the toss but in no time four wickets were down; Foster then joined Quaife and they added 99 with Foster’s share a quick 66. A total of 260 looked somewhat short when Hampshire reached 242 for five but a late collapse ensued, Foster took the last five wickets and Warwicks’ position was strengthened when Foster promoted himself to No.3. In his best innings since 1911, he hit 16 fours as he pulled and scythed his way to 111 in less than two hours, dominating a fourth wicket stand of 111 with Baker. Hampshire’s last-day target of 331 was always likely to be difficult but Phil Mead laid about him, scoring 170 in 190 minutes, his last 108 out of 124 but on his dismissal, Hampshire’s challenge faded and Warwicks triumphed by 64 runs. Foster collected three more wickets to make it a hundred runs and eight wickets in a match for the fourth time. A glimpse of his glory days and the victory, gained with enterprise and adventure proved the value of Foster ‘on song’. Unfortunately this form was not carried on to The Oval where Surrey should have been beaten had Warwicks scored more quickly and not allowed them to play for a draw. Foster had none for 55 in 17 overs in the first innings and feeling ‘off colour’ did not bowl at all on the final afternoon. E.H.D.Sewell remarked: ‘Foster is bowling a different style from that which secured him so many wickets on the leg side, and seems to have shed for the time being much of that nip from the pitch which was his chief asset against batsmen who can bat.’ Vicissitudes down to war 74