Lives in Cricket No 44 - LCH Palairet

The year 1904 started with Lionel taking part in some point- to-point competitions; he also became Honorary Secretary to Taunton Vale Foxhounds. In early April Len Braund was asked for his comments on Somerset’s prospects; he was very pessimistic. To make it worse Cranfield was ill in hospital. Cranfield often suffered from ill health, and his form fell away until 1908 and he would die from pneumonia in 1909. It was also reported that Lionel would not be available until August due to work commitments; as it turned out he played all season. He only played one warm-up game before the season, turning out for Taunton against Bridgwater. Although he was dismissed by Braund for 17, he got revenge by bowling Braund and trapping his captain Sam Woods lbw. His first appearance of the season was against Gloucestershire at Bristol. After an even first innings, Lionel opened the second innings with Braund. In a stay of four and half hours he was to score 166 out of 310. He was missed three times (on 42, 45 and 109). The majority of his runs were from clean hard drives, his main hits being 13 fours and ten threes. The innings closed for 310, setting Gloucestershire 298 to win. After a keen struggle Gloucestershire got home by three wickets. The match though would be remembered for one over bowled by Len Braund; Gilbert Jessop hit him for 28 runs (446446), then a world record. Lionel had a quiet time over the next three games, until the visit of Lancashire to Bath in early June. Going in for the second innings Somerset were facing an innings defeat as Lancashire led by 250 runs. For Somerset Cranfield had recovered enough to have made his return after the defeat to Gloucestershire. Lionel and Braund opening made a great effort to turn the match around. Lionel started poorly and struggled against Walter Brearley’s short balls; Braund at the other end started in fine style as he hit 35 of the first 50 after an hour. At 23 Lionel gave a chance at long- off as Les Poidevin just failed to hold the ball; shortly afterwards Lionel should have been run out. Despite this his innings gained momentum and Lionel reached his half century after 70 minutes. Immediately he was again dropped, this time by Harold Garnett, who running back dropped the ball as he tried to hold the catch over his head. The pair though continued their partnership until 1902 and one more good season 90