Lives in Cricket No 5 - Rockley Wilson

probably uniquely, he had played against and for his University. From this point on, his place in the Cambridge First XI was assured, and he could also be sure that this early demonstration of his considerable promise had been noted in the county of his birth. In fact soon after the end of the University’s season, Rockley Wilson was to make his debut for Yorkshire, again following in the footsteps of his brother Clem who had first played for the county in 1896. For Cambridge, Rockley appeared in eight first-class games in 1899 including two matches against MCC, a match against the touring Australians, which the visitors won convincingly by ten wickets, and the drawn match against Oxford in which he got his Blue. He batted well up the order, often opening the innings, but after his impressive performance for A.J.Webbe’s XI, his batting disappointed. He scored 307 runs in total, averaging 19.18 with a best score of 49 against MCC at Lord’s, in his first appearance in a first-class match at cricket’s headquarters. As the season wore on, his captain made more use of Rockley Wilson’s bowling and he finished with 30 wickets at 26.86, more wickets than any other Cambridge bowler, but rather expensive by later Rockley School and University 25 The Cambridge University side in Rockley Wilson’s freshman year, 1899. Standing (l to r): A.E.Hind, L.J.Moon, E.F.Penn, J.Daniell. Seated: G.E.Winter, T.L.Taylor, G.L.Jessop (captain), J.N.Stogdon, H.H.B.Hawkins. On the ground: S.H.Day, E.R.Wilson.