Lives in Cricket No 21 - Walter Read

37 be his natural environment for the next quarter of a century. The local press reported that the new Surrey gentleman – W Reed [sic] was not a free bat but had a good defence and kept wicket tolerably well. 60 Two years later he topped the county’s batting averages. Still aged only 20, in 1876, he scored his maiden first-class century, 106, against Kent at Maidstone. In the return match at the Oval, he captained the side. Aged 20 years 275 days at the time, he is the third youngest captain in the county’s history. His opposite number was Lord Harris, himself appointed captain of his county at a similar age. Now in his sixth year of leadership, he was to exert a huge influence on the game, defending, nay promoting, the amateur ethos and throughout his life, keeping professionals in their place and finding the concept of a professional as captain utterly abhorrent. His blood pressure remained normal, however, as Surrey stuck to a tradition that was to obtain for almost another century. Notwithstanding the presence of several experienced professionals, the youthful Read was appointed as captain for the match in the absence of regular captain Allen Chandler who replaced George Strachan for just one season. On this occasion, however, the younger man’s team came out on top. It was, as they say, a good toss to lose. Kent chose to bat and soon found themselves back in the hutch (or two hutches, presumably, one for Lord Harris and the other Kent amateurs and one for the professionals) for 66, George Jones cleaning up with 6 for 10. Although Read’s own contribution was insignificant, his team built a substantial first innings lead and despite Kent coming back in the second dig, it was insufficient to prevent a 10-wicket win for the home side and a 100% record for the county’s stand-in captain. He was never appointed official captain, however, playing for most of his career under John Shuter and then Kingsmill Key. A score of 60 not out against Yorkshire on a difficult wicket at The Oval in 1876 had demonstrated for the first of many times in his career that he was far from being merely a flat-track bully and could perform on bad wickets too. It followed 94 and 41 in the tied match against Middlesex Mr Read went to wickets with the score at 18 for two down; he was 9th man out, 196 runs having been made while he was 60 Reigate, Redhill, Dorking and Epsom Journal 19 August 1873 Surrey 1873/80