Lives in Cricket No 39 - Alec Watson

56 return against Yorkshire (28-16-19-5). In the out match against Gloucestershire Watson had another five wickets in an innings (52-21-97-5) and eight in all, and the same against Sussex (26.2- 11-41-5). However, Lancashire in turn suffered in the key match with Surrey. Watson found the pitch at The Oval conducive to a good batting performance, but not to a bowling one. In the last match of the tour Kent were crushed as Alec took nine wickets in the match, including 25.2-16-23-5, in addition to scoring 24*. He again did quite well with the bat in the defeat of Nottinghamshire that gave Lancashire runners-up spot in the now officially recognised championship, but did little with the ball. In 1887 the county clubs had discussed forming a County Cricket Council, under Lord Harris, and under the general aegis of MCC, to run the county game. The Council was set up, amid some controversy, which continued until it collapsed in 1890, not helped by Lord Harris’ departure to India to govern Bombay. However, on 10 December 1889, an official method of determining the championship had been set up by the leading counties. Basically the championship was to be decided by subtracting Slow Decline and Sudden End Lancashire 1890 Standing (l to r): G.R.Baker, A. W. Mold, A Ward, A.G. Paul, G.Yates, J.Briggs Seated (l to r): F.H. Sugg, A.C.MacLaren, A.N.Hornby (Captain), A.T. Kemble, R.G.Barlow. On ground (l to r): A.Watson, F.Ward. [Roger Mann Collection]