Lives in Cricket No 51 - Rev ES Carter

Ealing 31 House, mentioned above, contained these comments: “The chief feature of the day’s sport was the magnificent hitting innings of one of the respected secretaries E S Carter Esq., a gentleman who has, from the first time the club was mooted taken a most energetic and active part in its welfare. Mr Carter is so well known among our cricketing readers that it would be quite out of place for us to attempt to criticise his great ability as a player, but suffice it to say that the splendid innings will be long remembered by many present. …. The great ‘crack’ was disposed of for 73, he being run out by a substitute, who had been running throughout the game for him, (his health not permitting him to do so). On Mr Carter’s return to the tent he was received with quite an ovation, hearty cheers lasting some time.” The reference to a substitute is interesting, for Carter had been bowling vigorously throughout the earlier Somerset House innings and had caught out the last Somerset House batsman so any ill health causing a need for a runner must have been unexpected! Aweek later Carter was run out again, for 21 against the Ealing Allegro Cricket Club, but the County Times does not reveal who was responsible for that dismissal. Ealing being all out for 77, the Allegro Club might have been hopeful of a victory but Carter had other ideas. Tom Hearne senior was playing for Ealing and his son Tom Hearne junior was in the Allegro team. Carter, with no respect for friendships, bowled the junior Hearne for nought and carried on taking wickets at a rapid rate one of which resulted in a bail being dispatched 50 yards. Allegro were out for 30 and Ealing had won by 47 runs. No doubt the ground was uneven for there is a kindly reference to the Ealing long-stop in the County Times : “It is but fair to compliment Mr A M Hill on the longstopping, which was first rate, the number of byes [three] he missed being very few indeed, considering the pace Mr Carter bowled.” Carter’s outstanding analysis was 48 balls, three maidens, nine runs, nine wickets. Very generously after this mayhem Allegro allowed Ealing another innings to while away the Saturday afternoon, but the Allegro bowlers must have been