Lives in Cricket No 44 - LCH Palairet

play for England during the summer’. Clearly playing for the Gentlemen was his opportunity to shine. Lionel’s first cricket of 1897 was in the county trial match; he could only make four. The first county game started on May 17 against Yorkshire at Taunton. Somerset having been made to follow on, Lionel began his second innings with some hard flowing drives. Opening with his younger brother the pair sent up 50 in 35 minutes. At 80, his younger brother fell to a fine catch by John Tunnicliffe at slip. The 100 was sent up after 80 minutes and immediately afterwards Lionel reached his fifty. Lionel fell to a good caught and bowled by Scofield Haigh for 79; at this point Somerset were making a fight of the game as they had reached 158 for three. Sadly though although Ernest Robson made 80 the innings fell away to 276 all out, and Yorkshire went on to win by five wickets. The next match was not for three weeks against Middlesex at Lord’s. Although the game was ruined by the weather Lionel made a fine 92 in two hours, his innings ended by a brilliant catch at the wicket by MacGregor. Lionel added 118 for the second wicket with his brother who made 56. Lionel’s was described by the press as ‘a brilliant innings’. The press noted that ‘The Middlesex players showed off the new county cap for the first time’. Travelling to Hove, Somerset lost an exciting match by one wicket. Setting Sussex only 101 to win in the fourth innings, with Somerset bowling well and supported by some smart catches, an unlikely win looked on the cards when the last pair came together (Frederick Parris and Fred Tate) and by some resolute cricket the pair held their nerves for an exciting finish. The game was finished by an upper cut for four by Parris off Robson. Lionel did little with the bat however. After three winless opening games Somerset went to the Oval, to produce their best all-round display of cricket during the summer. By some consistent batting Somerset put up 349 in their first innings, Lionel making a quick 42, being second out at 65. Surrey made 249 with Tyler (six for 86) taking chief honours. Somerset again batted well reaching 274, with a hard-hit 88 from the captain SamWoods. Lionel again was going well until a good Marriage, family, work and Somerset 53