Lives in Cricket No 29 - AN Hornby

84 The Crossland and Mold throwing controversies contenders and Essex believed that Lancashire fast bowler Arthur Mold, who played a major role in their defeat at Old Trafford earlier in the season, had an unfair action. One could sense there was tension in the air. The incident involved Mold, who was batting and Frederick Bull, an amateur off-break bowler who was also Essex’s assistant secretary. Lancashire were in trouble on a wearing wicket, but when it looked likely that Lancashire would be following on, Bull made every effort to ensure that Essex would not have to bat last. Bull bowled one wide, which went to the boundary, but Mold called his bluff and proceeded to hit his own wicket so that Lancashire did have to go in again. Mold’s decision to sacrifice his wicket gave Bull figures of seven for 63. There was a heated discussion among the players at the interval and Hornby said he was refusing to proceed with the game. Each side accused the other of sharp practice but once Bull apologised for deliberately bowling wide, the game continued. Arthur Mold. ‘He was one of the deadliest fast bowlers of his day, but right through his career the fairness of his delivery formed the subject of lively discussion.’ – Wisden obituary by Sydney Pardon