Lives in Cricket No 52 - Schooled in Cricket (2nd edition)

94 The wicket of Glamorgan opening batsman in the second innings, Phil Clift, who top-scored in the innings with 42, came when he was uniquely stumped by the 50 year old Arthur Wood stepping out of retirement off the bowling of the 37-year-old Johnny Lawrence. Though this is the only time they came together in first- class cricket, we do know that they were great friends presumably from days together in the Headingley nets) and played in many friendlies together for years to come. Somerset finished a modest 12th for the 1948 season. 1949 In 1949, Johnny took 100 wickets for the first time, finishing with 107 at a bowling average of 22.73 and he easily headed the catching with some great slip catches especially; but his batting declined even further and he finished without a single 50 to his name all season and with a batting average of less than 14 runs per innings. His eight for 63 in an innings against Hampshire at Portsmouth was the best return of his career so far. In general the Somerset bowlers – a spearhead of five – Buse, Hazell, Wellard and Lawrence complemented by fast bowler Maurice Tremlett who had joined the team in 1947 – did regain form and provide Somerset with a substantial attack. Somerset did not bat well as a team and the form of Johnny’s friend Miles Coope also declined after a magnificent 100 in May against Lancashire and he was not retained after this season. In 1949, Somerset shared ninth place with Essex in the County Championship. Johnny liked all sports and played football regularly in a team in Yorkshire which included his brother Sam. The Somerset County Herald said “that his play in the match for Horace Hazell’s benefit on August 30 ‘caused many laughs’.” Note that Fred Lee in the photograph (not Frank Lee!) was a guest player for Hazell’s team and was more A first class career with Somerset