Lives in Cricket No 46 - George Raikes

94 Raikes’ Third Spell For Norfolk: The Championship Won Again low but dazzling sun shining behind the wickets. The umpires conferred before deciding to draw stumps. The Eastern Daily Press commented tersely of “circumstances which caused some unpleasantness” – given that Stevens was still a callow youth, it was distinctly possible that a grumpy and thwarted Raikes was letting off some steam. Writing in the 1909-10 Norfolk Cricket Annual , Brereton Wilson, who had skippered Norfolk in 1909, wrote: “ … I look upon the Rev. G.B.Raikes as in a class entirely by himself in all departments of the game but in this I am excepting Geoffrey Stevens as a bat. I know no man I would prefer to have on my side in preference to George Raikes. Unfortunately he was unable to play for us more than twice last year. At the time of writing I am sorry to hear he is seriously ill, but I most sincerely trust he will be fit and able to lead the team to victory this season.” Wilson predicted that “it looks as though the main part of the bowling for next season will fall upon Mr Raikes and Gibson” and was partly correct – although those two did capture most wickets, both Tommy Allsopp and Michael Falcon also did sterling work in the 1910 season. Finally, in praising the fielding of the county side, he singled out “Norman Stevens and George Raikes [for] showing especial brilliance”. The Norfolk Cricket Annual also stated: “No side could wish for a more enthusiastic leader than the Rev G.B.Raikes, and the Norfolk County Committee is to be congratulated upon the fact that the old Oxonian has once again accepted the post of Captain.” Annus Mirabilis The Norfolk side leaving the field at a distinctly rural Lakenham, dated by Philip Yaxley to c.1910. The wicket keeper is Ralph Thurgar; he is followed by a bare-headed Michael Falcon whilst the tall Raikes lowers his head to talk to the unidentified gentleman in ‘civvies’. The diminutive professional Ted Gibson is at the extreme right.