Lives in Cricket No 50 - Tom Emmett

119 the Committee for the talent money this time’, and he received it. 82 Emmett’s understanding of the pressures on a professional cricketer meant he could represent them well. He stood up for the players when there were accusations of excessive drinking and late nights in the 1870s. In his interview with ‘Old Ebor’, Emmett explained that he been called up in front of the county committee when made captain and spoken to about card-playing. He said he told the committee that card-playing was a good way to pass a long railway journey and relieve the tedium of travel. But, he added, he would do his best to prevent men staying up all night. In Emmett’s view, he succeeded in this. 83 Emmett was also described as considerate to the men under him whilst captain, but to some his personality made it harder for him to step away from the camaraderie of the side and some felt he was too nice to be able to discipline his fellow professionals. He also stepped back from bowling during his period as Yorkshire captain, doing it less in 1879 and 1880 than he had for almost a decade. W.G.Grace thought he was ‘too modest about his qualities’ when captain and should have bowled more often in that period. It was only when Lord Hawke – who knew Emmett’s value – took over as captain, that he had his late-career period of success, including his remarkable year of 1886. As well as helping others to secure financial reward, Emmett knew his own worth, and early on in his career he made it known that he wanted to be paid appropriately to perform. This was clear when he secured the full rate when he made his Yorkshire debut. Likewise, towards the end of his Yorkshire career, he was offered only the Colts game and the requirement to prove himself, and was put on a reserve list, but he turned it down. He was then included in the side and showed his value not just that season, but in the three successive ones. To strengthen his negotiating position and safeguard his career, Emmett knew he had to maintain high levels of performance. In 1881, Athletic News was full of praise for his ‘assiduous attention to practise bowling, and determination to become proficient with the bat’, 15 years after his county debut, and hoped he would be an inspiration for the next generation of players. Lyttleton also remarked on Emmett’s dedication to improving his skills. He wrote that initially Emmett had a very weak right arm, but he used one winter to take a bouncing ball and, standing a few yards from a wall, threw it hard with his left arm against the wall and practised catching with his right to strengthen his right arm. Such dedication to his profession seems to conflict with suggestions that Emmett’s red nose was due to drink. Emmett himself was aware that some thought he over indulged, which he disputed vigorously. 84 The accusation was also dismissed by Louis Hall, in an interview with ‘Old Ebor’, who stated ‘it may be mentioned that Tom Emmett has been considered fond of the good cheer of the world....As a matter of fact this is quite untrue. No member of the Yorkshire team while I was in its ranks took greater care of himself than genial Tom Emmett.’ Rev.E.S.Carter also told ‘Old Ebor’, ‘Tom Emmett...knew how to take care of himself and of the team, too. I was Personality, performance and popularity