Lives in Cricket No 21 - Walter Read

88 He continued to play most 1st XI matches, and although his form was less consistent than it had been, once again he did not let the season pass without recording a century, this time against Sussex at Brighton when recalled because of a poor run of form by Leveson-Gower. Read gave no chance that went to hand, but during the last half-hour the bowling was punished with such severity that 46 runs were added and at last the Surrey score had been carried to 346 with Abel, not out 138 and Read, not out, 89. On Friday morning a lot of curiosity existed as to how Abel and Walter Read would increase the partnership, as overnight, they had put on 148 runs. The two men were not destined to stay much longer together, the score only having been carried to 357 when Abel was cleverly run out by Butt. The stand for the fourth wicket yielded 159, the runs having been obtained in rather more than two hours.…just after Holland came in, Read completed his 100, …Read’s career was brought to a close by a catch at extra mid-of [sic] at 375. The innings of 111, which occupied him only two hours and a half, was in every way, worthy of Read’s reputation. He gave no real chance, and played with all his old vigour and determination. Among his hits were fourteen 4’s, four 3’s and twelve 2’s. 156 1896 Notwithstanding negotiations on financial matters described elsewhere, Read managed to play more or less a full season and for the fourth season in succession recorded just a single century. It was made in adverse circumstances when he was not at his fittest. Mr W W Read was not well, and indeed he was doubtful whether to go in to bat. It was fortunate for Surrey that he did, for he soon settled down; his strokes all round were very hard, and he was quickly catching Abel when the latter was bowled. In proof of the lively character of the batting during the partnership, it may be stated that in an hour and thirty- five minutes the two batsmen had added 142 runs... Mr Read was ninth out at 348... He was only in two hours and twenty minutes for his 112, a substantial display of all round batting quite in his very best form. 157 156 Cricket 5 September 1895 157 Cricket 7 May 1896. Surrey and England 1888/97