Lives in Cricket No 36 - WE Astill

21 Chapter Two The Prodigy We may be sure that the County Club was aware of Astill’s youthful achievements. ‘Crusoe’ relates that: His actual engagement by Leicestershire occurred in 1905, when he was only fifteen. 40 He owed this early notice to his uncle, Thomas Jayes, one of the best bowlers that Leicestershire has produced, who had noted his nephew’s skill as an off-spin bowler in matches for the local Temperance Cricket Club. 41 It is highly likely that Uncle Tom was in part instrumental in bringing him to the attention of the club for which he played himself, but his nephew tells his juvenile readers another part: In Leicester I went into an accountant’s office, and but for cricket, I might have been there still. Only one day there appeared an advertisement in a local paper, and seeing that advertisement altered the whole of my life. It was put in, I should tell you, by the Leicestershire County Cricket Club. The club, according to that advert, was in need of new players, and promising lads were invited to apply for a trial. Here was a chance, and no mistake! I was after that trial like lightning, you can bet! In those days I fancied myself chiefly as a bowler, so it was in that capacity that I applied for a trial at the county club ground. My request was granted, and one morning I set out, full of eagerness, to show what I could do. And I can tell you it was a big moment for a lad of only fifteen! Well, when I got there I found several of the county players – among them Mr. C.J.B.Wood, the famous Leicestershire skipper – helping to try out the youngsters, and I don’t mind admitting that I was a bit nervous when I found that I had to bowl to the skipper himself. Then a miracle happened – at least, I should say it seemed a miracle to me, for with the first ball I sent down to the great ‘C.J.B.’ I actually 40 He turned 17 in March 1905, but see Chapter One. 41 R.C.Robertson-Glasgow, More Cricket Prints: Some Batsmen and Bowlers 1920-1945 , p 53. Eyes front! Ewart’s uncle, Tom Jayes, one of Leicestershire’s finest ever bowlers.