Lives in Cricket No 27 - CB Llewellyn

47 Chapter Eight Triumph in England The introduction of young professionals gradually changed the character and capability of the Hampshire side. Jimmy Stone, the wicketkeeper, was the first Southampton-born professional to gain a place in the team in 1900, and was followed by Alec Bowell from Oxford in 1902. Phil Mead from Battersea, played in one match in 1905 and secured a regular place the following year, when Jack Newman, born in Portsmouth, and John Badcock from Kent first appeared. The number of irregular amateurs greatly diminished and from 1906 Hampshire rose up the championship table. Success in 1906 was not immediate. The season began with four crushing defeats by Surrey at The Oval to the tune of 337 runs, by Yorkshire at Northlands Road by seven wickets, though Phil Mead demonstrated his budding prowess with scores of 60 and a maiden hundred in the match. Then Surrey were again victorious by ten wickets at Aldershot before Warwickshire triumphed by 107 runs in the first county game to be played at May’s Bounty, Basingstoke, which ended on 23 May. This terrible start presaged another season of failure for Hampshire and Llewellyn. He did not play against Yorkshire, he did not bowl in the home game against Surrey – though seven members of his team did – and he did little or nothing in the other two opening matches. By now they were into June and blessed relief came with an overwhelming victory against Derbyshire at Northlands Road. This was principally due to the new fast bowler, Badcock, who claimed six victims for 63 in the visitors’ second innings and good scores from Hill (110 and 28), Greig (81 and 70), A.C.Johnston (13 and 70) and on his welcome return to the team, R.M.Poore (53 and 40). Buck compiled two and 12, batting at No.8, and he was not invited to bowl. He was allowed five overs in the match against Sussex at Priory Park, Chichester, when the result was nought for 34, when seven members of the team bowled. But at last he came good with the bat, playing excellently to reach 67 and taking part in a stand of 150 for the sixth wicket with Poore, one of his benefactors. Poore reached 129 in 225 minutes with the aid of 15 fours, but shortly afterwards was injured and unable to