Lives in Cricket No 44 - LCH Palairet

Palairet. A fine compliment from Bisset, but it just underlines the impression Lionel was leaving on players within the first-class game. The team would have had high hopes in Somerset’s next game, whichwas at home toWorcestershire at Bath.Worcestershire were new to the Championship as they were only admitted in 1899. Worcestershire’s first two seasons had seen them struggle. This year seemed no better as they had won only once and lost seven games in the Championship, many heavily. The start of the game was delayed due to rain; Worcestershire struggled on a difficult wicket and made 157. Then opening with Bernard, Lionel was bowled first ball by George Wilson, a fast right-arm bowler. The innings closed with a deficit of 59, although Worcestershire’s second innings amounted to only 110, with Cranfield taking seven for 48. Somerset were only set 172; however the wicket was still difficult, Lionel fell for 17 and Somerset lost by 26 runs. Staying at Bath for the visit of Lancashire, in brilliant hot weather Somerset won the toss and elected to bat. Lionel hit three fours in Mold’s first over. However when 21 Lionel was dropped at cover slip by John Holland; this chance would cost Lancashire dearly. Lionel sent up his fifty out of 64 in 40 minutes. He and Braund continued scoring rapidly, sending up the hundred in less than an hour; Mold, the reliable fast bowler, coming in for some heavy treatment. Lionel reached his century in an hour and 50 minutes, when the opening partnership had increased to 166. Lionel had given another chance at 61 but otherwise he played a fine innings. At lunch Lionel was unbeaten on 114 with the opening stand worth 188. After the resumption the opening partnership continued until 225, when Braund was bowled by part-time bowler Albert Ward for 82. The Manchester Courier said ‘Palairet’s strokes were so clean, so sharp, and so crisp, that his cricket all-round the wicket commanded great attention’. Lionel continued scoring quickly and reached his own 150 in two and three quarter hours. He eventually was second out at 298, after three and a quarter hours, hitting 28 fours. Somerset batted well into the second day and amassed an imposing 561; a demoralised Lancashire were easily beaten by an innings and 117 runs, and this emphatic win was A new century and 1901 71