Lives in Cricket No 46 - George Raikes

51 Chapter Five Playing Cricket At Oxford: A ‘Nearly’ Man 1893: Raikes Fails to Make an Impression While Raikes’ career as a footballer at Oxford went from success to success in an almost unbroken sequence of triumphs, his progress as a cricketer was much less certain – as the writer in The Salopian had hinted. Like all freshmen he was obliged to turn out in several ‘trial matches’ and, although he put in a couple of fine performances, he was too inconsistent to force his way into serious reckoning for a ‘Blue’. Commencing his season, he played for Mr W.H.Brain’s Side against Mr L.C.H.Palairet’s Side in the Freshmen’s Match; Wisden reported that he ‘hit finely’ in scoring 89 in his second knock but his bowling was innocuous. In the next match he played for the XVI Freshmen against the XI but did little; however, when he turned out for the Next XVI against the XI he put in a splendid piece of bowling. Although the XI racked up 533, Raikes returned meritorious figures of 44-14-91-5. He then found himself placed as low as number eight or nine in the batting order – already there was evidence that Oxford would regard him more as a bowler than a batsman. In the next couple of weeks Raikes did find some form with the bat, scoring 136 not out for Oxford Etceteras against the Perambulators. This led to the Eastern Daily Press taking a rosy view. “[Raikes”] has been showing exceptional all-round activity in the trial matches and his inclusion in the Oxford Eleven would surprise no-one. Mr [Lionel] Palairet (note 1) , however, has quite a plethora of batsmen to draw upon” and, again: “The form shown by G.B.Raikes in the opening matches at Oxford, and his subsequent display against the Perambulators seemed to warrant the assumption that the Norfolcian would, sooner or later, be given a trial in the more serious matches of the University. The old Shrewsbury boy had shown most consistent form, both with bat and ball, and we, in Norfolk, were not a little curious as to the possible reasons Mr Palairet might have for not including him in the match against the Gentlemen of England.” Eventually Raikes was chosen to make his first-class debut for the university in their third first-class match of the season. This was against Somerset – four of the best regulars were missing and he was one of three players making their first-class debut. Somerset crushed the weakened Oxford by ten wickets with Raikes only asked to bowl five overs and scoring just two runs in each innings, being dismissed twice by Edwin Tyler, a slow left-armer who would be called for ‘throwing’ in 1900. The Eastern Daily Press remained hopeful: “It is scarcely likely that the Norfolk man will be dropped at once, and he has the good wishes of all Norfolcians for a happier result at the next attempt.” Alas, he was indeed