Lives in Cricket No 20 - Maurice Tompkin

The next day it was down the A50 for the August Bank Holiday match against Northamptonshire. After two low-scoring first innings on the first day, Maurice batted well on the Bank Holiday scoring an unbeaten 84 in two hours, which included 50 in half an hour with Jack Walsh. Because their positions in the batting order were widely separated, they seldom batted together. Maurice’s chances of completing a much-needed century were thwarted by the rain that now washed out play for the first part of the third day. Berry therefore declared at the overnight total to give his bowlers a chance, and he left Northamptonshire three hours to score 277 for victory. The rain had however played right into Jack Walsh’s hands, and he, helped by Jim Sperry who made the early breakthrough, skittled Northamptonshire out for 94 and a comfortable victory. For the opportunity to win four in four, Leicestershire now had to beat Yorkshire at Bramall Lane. Batting first they took few chances, and Maurice scored one of his slowest half-centuries, his innings of 64 taking just under three hours, putting on 75 with Frank Prentice, a batsman not known for speed and keen to demonstrate to his old county what they had rejected. They secured a lead of 96 on first innings, Jack Walsh taking six wickets. Set 267 in three hours, Leicestershire were able to dismiss everyone except Hutton, who carried his bat for 99 and Harry Halliday, injured whilst bowling, with 66 runs to spare. War and Peace, 1940 to 1949 62 The Leicestershire team which finished eleventh in the 1948 Championship. Standing (l to r): G.Lester, M.Tompkin, W.B.Cornock, S.Coe (scorer), A.Riddington, V.E.Jackson, J.Howard. Seated: J.E.Walsh, J.Sperry, L.G.Berry (capt), P.Corrall (wk), G.S.Watson. Three from Australia and two from Countesthorpe.