Lives in Cricket No 7 - Richard Daft

So, the Journal’s man had some grounds for gossiping as he did on 10 June, 1874 – Richard had missed ten fixtures in succession against W.G. In fact, Richard played fewer first-class innings in 1873 than in any season since 1863. In 1874, he went to the crease almost twice as frequently as in the previous year – 21 innings as against twelve. Yet, we should still remember the extent of his business responsibilities, the brewery and the sports shop, and his realisation, following his manager’s dishonesty, of the need to have a presence everywhere. Then his family was increasing: by 1874, Richard Parr Daft was ten years old and Harry was eight. There were now two daughters as well – Ann was two, while Mary was born that year. One cannot avoid the events of the match at Prince’s between the Gentlemen and Players beginning 23 July, 1874. We have already noted that W.G. twice dismissed Richard in that game. Richard cannot have been very thrilled at the controversial newspaper articles, even if he had done nothing to provoke them. The Players led on the first innings by 21, but then W.G. ran away with the match by fair means and foul – by his transcendent all-round play and his gamesmanship. In the second innings, he attacked from the start. Fred Grace joined him with the total already at 129 for two. Before Fred had scored, he played the ball back to the bowler, James Lillywhite, who could have made an easy catch had not W.G. been ‘palpably in the way’. Lillywhite appealed to both umpires for obstruction of the field by W.G., but they both turned down the appeal. This was received with incredulity by the Players and brought to a head their dissatisfaction with the umpires. As Wisden put it: ‘It was their misfortune in this match that nearly every appeal by the Gentlemen was decided affirmatively and the Players’ appeals were mainly met with not out.’ On the third day, W.G. completed his hundred, leaving the Players 189 to win. Whether or not the two umpires, George Keeble and Alfred Luff, with previous first-class experience of one match each, were influenced by the overwhelming presence and personality of W.G., they soon had an influence on the result. Richard was given out lbw for a duck and Charlwood soon followed, caught behind, both vigorously protesting against the decisions: the Players were all out for 128. Wisden’s comment was that ‘the decisions of these two young umpires were conscientious, no doubt, but that they are yet too inexperienced for office in a match of such high class is equally certain.’ 66 Gentlemen and Players