Lives in Cricket No 46 - George Raikes

115 their side. Andy Mack, who had topped the first-class bowling averages in 1978 and who played for Norfolk in 1989 and 1991, seemed quite content to join a club very near the bottom of the pecking order. Staying in Norfolk for a third example, there is the story of Harold Theobald, who is something of a cult figure. He only appeared in one first-class match, being a little stodgy at the highest level, but was a valuable member of the Norwich Wanderers, Norfolk’s strongest club side, for many a year and was still turning out in friendlies for the Sunday eleven when in his eighties. Then he would open the batting and, at the start of his innings, he would ask his captain: “How long skipper?” His captain would then tell Harold for how long he was being permitted to bat. Harold, whose defence had not disintegrated with time, would then go out to bat for his ‘time’ before retiring. He had not the speed of feet to run anything but the most comfortable of singles and not the strength to reach the boundary but still derived immense pleasure from his weekly outing. Whilst the cases of Mack and Theobald are not completely comparable with those of Raikes, many more examples could be found, often from outside Norfolk, so it would appear that, far from standing out, Raikes was not at all unusual in ‘dropping down’ to prolong his career as a cricketer. The second question can be quickly disposed of. In a note to chapter six, the Rev Dr J.R.P.Sclater was quoted as saying “we would hope that that spirit would be developed amongst us which is not so very greatly concerned for itself, so long as the side on which we are is successful.” In other words, the Muscular Christian played to win and Raikes, being by residence a bona fide member of the Bergh Apton Club and not some imported ‘ringer’, would have lost no sleep whatsoever over the shortcomings of Bergh Apton’s opponents. Even more so, he would doubtless have seen taking on the captaincy of the village team as part of his pastoral duties, provided what he considered to be suitable leadership. Perhaps he was also concerned in ensuring that Bergh Apton played ‘suitable’ opposition for a suspiciously high number of fixtures were arranged against sides of a religious nature (such as CEYMS, the YMCA and the Carrow Bible Class). A Final Glimpse In The Limelight In August 1924, Raikes was entrusted with his final cricket match of some importance, being asked to captain the Gentlemen of Norfolk against the Oxford Emeriti. Although the latter made an annual tour of the county, they had not played against the Gentlemen before; now a two-day game had been arranged for Monday and Tuesday, 11 and 12 August, to be played at Lakenham. It was agreed to bat XII and field XI. The Gentlemen, who were not strong, batted first but put up a poor show, being bundled out for 106 in 35 overs. Extras made top score with 25; Raikes’ share was a relatively insignificant 12, though the Eastern Daily Press reported “a couple of fours on the leg side that were worthy of his best pre-war days”. The most effective bowler was Captain E.C.B.Dale who bagged seven for 28 but who was “flattered” according to the Eastern Daily Press . Raikes decided to take the new ball in support of Reg Covill, the Norfolk The Rector of Bergh Apton - The End of a Muscular Christian