Lives in Cricket No 44 - LCH Palairet

it reached 161, when Braund (84) was caught; the partnership had lasted only an hour and three-quarters. At the close Somerset were 178 for one with Lionel on 88. The following morning he completed his century having been at the crease for two and a quarter hours. He was to fall shortly afterwards to Brearley for 113. Sadly the innings fell away and Somerset could only make 277; Lancashire soon hit off the runs without loss. Before his next Somerset game, he turned out firstly for Somerset Stragglers and made an unbeaten 153 against Devon Dumplings; he then took five wickets for Leighton against Bath, and for Sam Woods’ eleven against Bath and District he scored 86. During this innings he hit Braund three times for six and a four in one over. Braund did have the edge though, as he made 176 as his team won. Lionel would carry this form into the next game against Worcestershire at New Road, in what is possibly the finest innings he ever played. Winning the toss Worcestershire were restricted to 174, thanks largely to Braund who finished with eight for 81. With nearly three hours until stumps. Lionel opened with Braund. Lionel immediately started hitting the bowling, mainly in front of the wicket with some superb drives. The pair added 119 at over a run a minute before Braund fell for 36. Lewis then came in and Lionel carried on, reaching his hundred at almost a run a minute. Lewis (33) left at 223, the second wicket having added 104. At this point wickets started to fall regularly. Lionel held firm and by the close was unbeaten on 197, with Somerset closing on 314 for seven. The second morning began in sunny weather; Lionel started with a four to bring up his double hundred made in three hours. He was caught shortly afterwards for 203. He hit 30 fours and gave no chance, in a brilliant display of forcing, controlled cricket. Worcestershire, facing arrears of 178, fell apart in their second attempt as Cranfield and Braund shared the wickets. They slumped to 64 all out, Somerset gaining an easy victory by an innings and 114. Somerset then started their northern tour, firstly to Hull to play Yorkshire. After Woods elected to bat Lionel opened with Braund and again showed brilliant form, as he hit his 50 out of 1902 and one more good season 91