Lives in Cricket No 36 - WE Astill

73 The First ‘Doubles’ a young man (at the age of 34!) ‘he should not have reached the half-way stage of [his] cricketing career’. 138 Leicestershire players are notoriously unfortunate with the weather for benefit matches. Rain interfered seriously with this one, Leicestershire had the worst of the conditions and lost by an innings three quarters of an hour before the end of the last day. Promoted to open from his customary position of first wicket down, ‘he proceeded to play a really heroic part’ in ‘thoroughly unpleasant conditions’ with ‘a boisterous cold wind and dull skies’. He battled for two and a quarter hours and was eighth out at 89 for 45, the next highest score being Bale’s 16 not out. Disheartened or tired he took but a single wicket (A.H.H.Gilligan, lbw) and a single catch (Lt-Col A.C.Watson) in the Sussex reply and succumbed to A.E.R.Gilligan for nine in 40 dogged minutes in Leicestershire’s second paltry attempt. The financial result was equally or even more miserable. The county kept open the subscription list after the close of the season, but even so Astill was enriched by only £530 11s 8d, equivalent to £23,000 at 2013 prices. Perhaps he gained some consolation in a letter from Alderman A.E.Sawday: Will you accept the enclosed [cheque for ten guineas] towards your benefit fund from one who has followed your career with much interest since he had the pleasure of presenting you with the bowling prize many years ago in connection with the Temperance C.C., and who hopes that you will have many years of successful cricket in store for you? With all good wishes for the success of your benefit … 139 138 He had indeed not in seasons, runs, wickets or catches. 139 Quoted in the Leicester Sports Mercury , 1 July 1922. Astill’s popularity is evident in this cartoon promoting his Benefit Fund in 1922.