Lives in Cricket No 21 - Walter Read

75 1889 His performances the following season were less impressive. For the first time for seven seasons he failed to reach a thousand runs and made just one first-class century, 110 not out, in an innings victory over Middlesex at The Oval. Unlike the previous two years, Surrey failed to emerge as Champion County and after some debate, there was a tripartite split between Surrey, Lancashire and Nottinghamshire, leading to the abandonment of the informal method where the award was made by the press – not always unanimously (see footnote to 1887 season) – and the inauguration of the County Championship the following season. He did, however, achieve something unique for Surrey at the time, albeit not in a first-class match, a century in each innings – 105 and 130 - against the touring Gentlemen of Philadelphia. In the autumn he again attended the meeting of County Secretaries, 133 but not the newly-established Cricket Council. That was left to the captain and the secretary. 133 Cricket 27 September 1889 Surrey and England 1888/97 Example of Read’s handwriting - and helpfulness - March 1889. [Surrey County Cricket Club]