Lives in Cricket No 19 - Frank Sugg

Chapter Six Early Seasons with Lancashire While Frank Sugg was employed by Burnley and in the process of qualifying by residence to play for the county, the Lancashire committee was searching for ways to strengthen the county side, especially in batting. Formed in 1864, the early years of the Lancashire county club were difficult ones but by the late 1870s Lancashire had become one of the country’s leading county sides. In 1879, they shared the Championship with Nottinghamshire and in 1881 went one better in winning the title outright for the first time, albeit with Notts weakened by a players’ strike. In 1882 they were again joint champions with Nottinghamshire. In A.N.Hornby, Lancashire had an inspiring captain (from 1880) and one of the finest batsmen in the land. Other outstanding players in these years were R.G. (‘Dickie’) Barlow (the only Lancashire-born professional), Alec Watson, A.G.Steel (the most celebrated of the four Steel brothers who played for the county), Walter Robinson, Johnny Briggs (perhaps Lancashire’s outstanding allrounder of all time) 54 and Jack Crossland (the fast bowler whose career with Lancashire was to be mired in controversy over the legitimacy of his action and his residential qualification to play for the county). But after 1882 Lancashire’s performances fell away, especially in the batting department. The committee did not shrink from blooding newcomers but few were able to seize their opportunity: in 1883 there were 13 and in 1885 no fewer than 15 debutants, but as Peter Wynne-Thomas tartly observed, ‘most were of little more than passing interest.’ 55 Lancashire’s needs were compounded by the frequent non-availability of A.G.Steel and other amateurs, and the prospective retirement of the professional batsman, Walter Robinson. Hence the opportunity to hire Frank Sugg, with four years’ experience of county cricket behind him, was heaven-sent. And Frank had no hesitation in accepting Lancashire’s terms – £5 a 49 54 Despite never achieving the double. 55 Peter Wynne-Thomas, The History of Lancashire County Cricket Club , Christopher Helm, 1989, p 44.