Lives in Cricket No 46 - George Raikes

17 Chapter Two Raikes’ Progress: From ‘Iron Gloves’ to Allrounder The successes on the pitch of George’s older brother, Ernest, would have alerted the great and good of Norfolk cricket to the potential of his younger sibling. One of those, Charles ‘Fox’ Jarvis, gave the young George Raikes his first experience of high quality cricket by asking him to turn out for Jarvis’ own XI against the Billingford Incapables (note 1) at the age of just 16. Starting on 30 August, 1889, and lasting two days the match failed to reach a fourth innings and the first appearance of the young Raikes was its only point of interest. ‘Fox’ won the toss and decided to bat first, asking George to go in at number four, at which point Jarvis’ XI had reached a comfortable 108 for two. Joining Captain William Stafford, he was quickly dismissed, bowled by Edward Holley for just four runs. Jarvis’ side were eventually dismissed for 230, to which the Incapables replied with 260. The top-score of 87 was made by H.W.Hunting, caught off the Rev Thomas Curteis by George Raikes, who had been asked to keep wicket (note 2) . That was Raikes’ only dismissal; the number of byes conceded (out of a total of 28 extras) has not survived. There was just time for Jarvis’ XI to totter to 92 for six before the close; dropping down to number five, Raikes failed again, being caught by Walter Hansell off the bowling of G.Castley for three. A most inauspicious debut! As was to be expected, Raikes was more active in the next summer. He was selected to make his debut for Norfolk against the Eton Ramblers and also opposed Hertfordshire. In addition, he turned out for the MCC in their match against Norfolk on 4 August (note 3) . He was one of several stumpers who were given a trial in the search to find a suitable replacement for the Rev Archdale Wickham, an extremely skilful gloveman who had given Norfolk a decade’s service but who had been appointed vicar of Martock; this parish being in Somerset, Wickham went on to play in 82 first- class matches for his new county between 1891 and 1907. Commenting plaintively on this, the Eastern Daily Press stated, just before Raikes’ debut, that “Mr Wickham’s absence will be sorely felt. Each successive match that is played only serves to accentuate the disparagement that exists between the former custodian and the gentlemen who are supposed to fill his place. We say this in no unkindly spirit to our present wicketkeepers. They do their best: the public must deal gently with them” (note 4) . Before he could show off his keeping against the Ramblers, George Raikes had a turn at bat. Like several other players who would go on to play major roles for Norfolk with the bat (such as Geoffrey Stevens and Michael