Lives in Cricket No 39 - Alec Watson

50 good form, but its report on Lancashire was largely devoted to the lengthy correspondence between Lancashire and Kent, which at times involved the redoubtable Lord Harris, over Kent’s objections to Crossland’s bowling action. Harris, who admitted to a ‘monomania’ about throwing, wrote in A Few Short Runs (p105) that he thought that Crossland ‘undoubtedly threw the fast ball. Nash, a slow left-hander, seemed to me to throw every ball. Mr Hornby listened to all I had to say, but declined to make any promise to exclude either.’ Various other counties threatened to become involved, but MCC settled the matter rather oddly, by rescinding their previous decision on Crossland’s qualification to play for Lancashire. He was now qualified only for his native Nottinghamshire, who, of course, did not want him. Nash, whatever his bowling action, was now playing but little for Lancashire – and Harris had no comment to make about Watson. That was just as well, for over the next two seasons at the age of 41 and 42 he was to embark on perhaps the most fruitful period of his career. Lancashire played more first-class matches in 1886, diplomatic relations having resumed with Kent and Nottinghamshire. In MCC’s first innings at Lord’s Watson was immediately in form when he took six wickets for 8 in 15 overs with ten maidens as the Club collapsed for 30. He had a further four as they later scrambled to 92. There was another ten plus in the match at home to Derbyshire, with 31-20-15-7 in one innings. Old Trafford was also the venue for the North against the visiting Australians. In a rain-ruined match Peate and Watson bowled unchanged. In the second innings Watson had six wickets for 12 in 27 overs with 18 maidens, but Peate outshone him in the match. Alec had another ‘six-for’ (58.3-35-64-6) at The Oval against Surrey. When Watson returned to Manchester to face the Australians again, Lancashire fared miserably; but Watson had five for 54 in the tourists’ only innings. Oddly, in thematch against Surrey at Liverpool he stumped Lohmann off A.G. Steel’s bowling. Richard Pilling was playing in the match, but presumably he was temporarily ill or injured as Watson took over behind the stumps. One has the feeling that Watson had a longing to be a regular wicket-keeper, but his hopes in that quarter were thwarted by two top-class wicketkeepers in David Griffiths in Scotland and Richard Pilling at Lancashire In the return match with Yorkshire at Dewsbury, Watson had nine wickets in total including a five for 25, then a fine haul of twelve against Derbyshire (58.1-39-29-6 and 46.2-32-26-6). Watson The anni mirabiles