Lives in Cricket No 34 - Frank Mitchell

72 It is worth considering the possibility that Mitchell, if he had stayed in England, might have played Test cricket against the Australians in the famous tour of 1902. That conjecture requires the assumption that Mitchell’s batting prowess in 1901 would have continued into the next season. His place in the Yorkshire side of 1902 had been taken by F.S.Jackson who had returned from the South African war. Jackson also went seamlessly straight back into the England team which for the First Test in 1902 started with MacLaren, Fry, Ranjitsinhji, Jackson and J.T.Tyldesley. In the only England innings of a drawn match, the first three scored only 22 runs between them, though Jackson made 55 and Tyldesley 138. The same five were chosen for the Second Test at Lord’s where barely half a day’s play was possible because of rain, but there was time for Fry and Ranjitsinhji each to be out for 0. The England twelfth man was T.L.Taylor, the Yorkshire amateur who was having a good season. Mitchell, if available and playing well, would probably have been considered before Taylor in the Yorkshire side. For the Third Test at Sheffield, Ranjitsinhji was injured so one change was certainly required. The chosen batsman was now Robert Abel. Fry was lucky to get another chance and scored 1 and 14. He was left out of the team for the Fourth Test, and Ranjitsinhji returned – but England then chose an extra batsman. This time it was Lionel Palairet who failed in that famous Test, which England lost by just three runs. Ranjitsinhji contributed 2 and 0, and Abel 6 and 21. Neither was selected for the Oval Test and Tom Hayward of Surrey was given a place. By the summer’s end Jackson and MacLaren were the only batsmen who had played in all five matches. The Test averages of Ranjitsinhji and Fry were 4.25 and 1.25. If a fit and in form Mitchell had been in England, he must have had a chance of starting a proper England career. If he had been chosen and had success he might have been an England player for several more years. The only evidence available as to Mitchell’s likely form arises because he came to England on business for Abe Bailey in May. W.G.Grace chose him at once for a strong MCC side that played Australia immediately before the First Test. Mitchell scored 29 and 55 not out. He had no other first-class cricket in 1902. What might have he thought? All that we now know is that 24 years later Mitchell wrote to The Times complaining that, whilst he was batting in that MCC match, a sparrow settled down near the wicket and the Australian fast bowler Ernest Jones at mid-off ‘ carelessly and thoughtlessly flicked the ball at the bird [and felled it]. There were loud protests from the crowd.’ We also know from Tony Laughton’s book on the Surrey Rhymester Albert Craig that ‘ it was the thoughtful rhymester who had run from the Mound Stand, which was his base at Lord’s, to rescue the bird only for it to fly off just as he reached it.’ Mitchell never did publicly write down his thoughts and hopes about playing for England in England. A remarkable season, and a lost opportunity 1901-02