Lives in Cricet No 33 - Jack Robertson and Syd Brown

94 Jack began the season well. He took part in a century opening stand for MCC against Yorkshire with Geoffrey Keighley and repeated the feat in his benefit match against Sussex a fortnight later, putting on 168 with Sharp. 128 Unfortunately, although Sussex – as was usual – ensured that the beneficiary did not make a duck, their kindness did not extend to making sure he got a century and he was dismissed nine short by off- spinner Alan Oakman. Syd moved up the order for the next match, against Worcestershire at Lord’s, and he and Jack, who made 129, opened with 103 before Howorth, playing in his last first-class season, lured him down the pitch and the diminutive Hugo Yarnold did the rest. 129 The pair’s next two century partnerships were against a relatively weak Cambridge attack and then at Taunton in mid-July, where Jack made 75 in the first innings and a faultless 201 not out in the second, when Wisden contrasted the security of his play with the difficulties experienced by his colleagues against the Somerset spinners Hazell and Robinson. The following week, at Portsmouth against a Hampshire attack led by the formidable opening pair Derek Shackleton and Vic Cannings (who went wicketless), they put on 233 in just over three hours. Jack, correct as ever, made 135, whilst Syd, demonstrating his power, fell only six runs short of turning his first century of the season into a double. Any disappointment he may have 128 Holiday matches between the counties were a popular choice for benefits. 129 Yarnold played at a time when stumpers really did stump and wicketkeepers didn’t necessarily have to be batsmen. When he finished playing, a third of his 697 career victims would be stumped. End of an Era Pam and Syd; two very smart spectators.