Lives in Cricket No 7 - Richard Daft

play on the first day and only 1½ hours on the second. The last day’s play saw Notts blown away for 84. Both Richard, playing as an amateur, and Harry, a professional, were bowled for ducks by J.T. Hearne, whose figures were nine for 32. Middlesex fared little better, scoring 97. William Attewell had six wickets for 35. So finally terminated Richard’s first-class career. 3 This same summer, on 23 June, 1891, George Parr died. Richard was a mourner at his funeral and later wrote a tribute to Parr ‘who was buried with a branch of the tree at Trent Bridge, known as George Parr’s tree, in his grave, the trunk of which has received many a hard knock from the ever memorable and unequalled leg hits of this magnificent batsman.’ A Match Too Far? 115 Nottinghamshire’s side in 1891, which finished fourth of nine in the championship. Standing (l to r): H.Coxon (scorer) W.Gunn, W.Barnes and W.Flowers. Seated: F.Shacklock, C.W.Wright, J.A.Dixon (captain), R.Daft, Wm.Attewell and M.Sherwin (wk). On the ground: R.Bagguley and H.B.Daft. 3 Richard was 55 years 300 days on the third day of this match. Only three older players have appeared in the ‘official’ championship. These are Rev R.H.Moss (Worcestershire) who was 57 years 91 days when he played against Gloucestershire at New Road in 1925: W.G.Quaife played for Warwickshire in 1928 and C.E.de Trafford for Leicestershire in 1920, both at the age of 56.