Lives in Cricket No 7 - Richard Daft

If this meant war – and there were skirmishes in the 1880s and 1890s when English professionals were affronted at the respect and remuneration paid to the Australians when they toured the United Kingdom designated as amateurs – Richard was only ever on the fringe of it towards the end of his career, when Nottingham professionals took umbrage over the terms the Australians enjoyed for playing against them at Trent Bridge in 1878. He was fortunate in playing for a county side which was almost always composed of fellow professionals and whose executives were mostly devoted to him. By the end of June 1859, Richard had taken part in nine matches, eight of them for the All England Eleven, of which only two ranked as ‘important’. Both were at Lord’s in June, and he was totally unsuccessful. William Caffyn dismissed him twice for nought when the All England Eleven met their rivals, the United England Eleven. Later in the month Richard hardly did better, managing scores of only four and eight for North versus South. In the Eleven’s matches against odds, there was the usual ludicrously low scoring: after George Parr hit his century against Twenty-two of Cornwall at Redruth, the home side fell for scores of 22 and 30. A few days later, the Eleven did little better themselves at Wellington Park near Launceston, replying to their hosts’ score of 58 with a total of 47, so Richard’s contribution of 20 was something to be proud of. Following his poor performance for the North at Lord’s, Richard was not chosen for Players versus Gentlemen at The Oval, nor the All England Eleven versus United England Eleven at Lord’s. He then made a return to form for Notts versus Surrey at The Oval, stroking his way to 52 out of 119 in the first innings before hitting his own wicket, and scoring 22 not out in the second. Everything in the match was put in the shade by the batting of George Parr, who compiled 130 for Notts. Richard batted at the top of his form against Twenty-two of Rutland on 28 July, when he placed the ball skilfully among the 22 fielders until he was caught with his total at 99. It was at Ipswich in July this year that Richard first met Bob Thoms, the celebrated umpire, whom George Parr had asked to watch the ‘young un’ and give him his opinion. This Thoms did after the match over a cigar at the White Horse Hotel (it was at this rendezvous that Mr Pickwick got into the wrong bedroom). Thoms’ 26 Professional