Lives in Cricket No 42 - Frank and George Mann

33 was absent ill and wouldn’t bat. Sutcliffe, Holmes, Denton and Hirst were all gone before lunch, Hirst to a fine catch by Mann at mid off and 100 runs were still needed. Then Rhodes cocked a ball from Durston dangerously up into the air and Warner, running like an eight-year-old, had the ball in his hands before his knee caught his arm and jerked it out. Fortunately, Durston spared his captain any further embarrassment by clean bowling Rhodes later in the same over. Still needing 53 runs to win, Waddington and Wilson batted with great coolness and confidence and the runs came slowly but surely, until only five were needed. As the young Stevens prepared to bowl, a derogatory cry from the crowd directed against Warner to the effect that he was being beaten, inspired the young man to deliver an unexpectedly fast off break which knocked Waddington’s middle stump out of the ground. Stevens was so excited by the result that during the celebrations back in the pavilion he picked up Frank Mann’s large glass of celebratory whisky by mistake and drained the glass empty. His profuse apologies were brushed aside by Frank with an order for two more glasses. Middlesex moved into the top three with a percentage of 71.25, close behind Kent and Surrey. There was little time to continue the party as Middlesex had a train to catch back to London where they faced Somerset the very next morning. The visitors batted first and in a rain-storm interrupted day the Middlesex bowlers were able have a little more rest than would have been expected. The wicket never looked easy and Somerset’s 210 might have been hard to match without an aggressive 66 from Hearne and a fifth-wicket stand of 44 runs with Frank Mann who joined him in the attack and scored a quick 30. Warner declared when only eight runs ahead and then Middlesex demolished Somerset for 90 and had soon won the match by seven wickets to enjoy a few extra hours of rest. Middlesex rose to the head of the table for the first time that season, with a percentage of 72.94, with Yorkshire on 72.38 and Lancashire on 71.31. Middlesex now took on Warwickshire at Edgbaston, starting on Saturday, 21 August. Warwickshire lost their first two wickets to Haig for four runs and after Hearne bagged three more they were 46 for five. The tailenders put up more of a fight and the innings ended at 186. Middlesex also made a bad start and lost Skeet, Lee and Hendren for 23 before Hearne and Warner added 124 for the fourth wicket. When Warner was out for 45 the Warwickshire total was in sight and Mann came in to join Hearne. Together they put Middlesex into a winning position by adding 171 runs for the fifth wicket, thanks to Frank’s controlled aggression and powerful driving. He was unlucky to fall nine short of his hundred in 111 minutes but Hearne proceeded calmly to reach his double-century and Warner declared at 420 for six. Warwickshire rallied in their second innings but could only manage a lead of 50 which Middlesex quickly knocked off in 20 overs for the loss of Lee. Elsewhere, Lancashire had thrashed Worcestershire but Middlesex held on to their narrow lead. The top three percentages were now Middlesex 74.44, Lancashire 72.50, Kent 71.31. Middlesex now returned to Lord’s to take on Kent, starting on 25 August. Warner and his ‘Sandbank’