Lives in Cricket No 50 - Tom Emmett

87 ‘Owd Evergreen’ 1884-1888 gentlemen of the MCC and 18 veterans. It was reported that ‘Tom Emmett saw one of the ancients practising at Lord’s, and was struck dumb at the sight of such a patriarch wielding the willow. He, however, soon regained his faculties, and, skipping up and down like a lamb, scouted the idea of retiring from county cricket, and refused to be called anything but a yearling while ancient fogeys appeared at the nets.’ Emmett’s enthusiasm was clearly undimmed, and he remained a lively presence in the team. In one match, the Yorkshire side fielded in the drizzle for an hour before running to the refreshment bar for some hot coffee. The only man who seemed to enjoy the cold was Emmett, who reportedly behaved ‘like a lamb at play.’ In June, against Nottinghamshire, a ball from Emmett hit Scotton with a nasty blow, requiring a suspension of play, during which some whisky was taken out to the wicket to be rubbed on the bruising. Perhaps predictably, Emmett sampled it first to the amusement of the crowd. Later, Yorkshire’s match with Middlesex at Huddersfield was badly affected by rain and ended as a draw, despite an innings of 243 not out by A.J.Webbe, who carried his bat. On the Saturday, a few spectators were treated to the sight of some of the Middlesex amateurs, including T.C.O’Brien, competing in races on the outfield. Then, when the match had been abandoned, Yorkshire and Middlesex played football with a rugby ball. Emmett ‘caused no end of amusement in the contest’, although Louis Hall retired hurt after colliding with A.E.Stoddart, the international footballer. The Yorkshire County Cricket Club team 1887. (Mick Pope)