Spofforth & Lockwood: A Common Devilry

[neville cardus]

"No matter how long I had batted or how many I had made, I could never trust Lockwood; at any moment he would let go the unplayable ball, perhaps not for hours, but you could never be sure." -- Ranji (quoted in Cardus, Neville: English Cricket [Collins, London, 1945], p. 40)

"Dr. Grace is quoted as saying that no matter how well set he might feel, he always knew that if Spofforth were bowling he might be out next ball." -- Masefield, John: So Long to Learn (Macmillan, 1952), p. 44

 

[The Sean]

Great stuff. Both men certainly seemed to have a "mean" streak and killer instinct that was ahead of their time. They wouldn't have been out of place in the aggressive fast bowling explosion of the 1970s in my opinion.

In contrast to Honest Tom Richardson, who I think would have found a big-hearted kindred spirit in someone like Alec Bedser in the somewhat gentler but no-less-competitive 40s and 50s.

 

[archie mac]

Lockwood was considered by Fry to be a better bowler than Richardson

 

[neville cardus]

Great stuff. Both men certainly seemed to have a "mean" streak and killer instinct that was ahead of their time. They wouldn't have been out of place in the aggressive fast bowling explosion of the 1970s in my opinion.

Lockwood's probably best compared (temperamentally, at least) to Heine, while Lillee and Spofforth are frequently mentioned in the same breath.

In contrast to Honest Tom Richardson, who I think would have found a big-hearted kindred spirit in someone like Alec Bedser in the somewhat gentler but no-less-competitive 40s and 50s.

Dick Lilley stood up to the stumps (as he generally did for all the quick men) when first he 'kept to Honest Tom. The Warwickshire gloveman was almost immediately struck a painful blow on the thorax but, undeterred, stayed where he was for the next over, and Richardson substantially reduced his speed. When Lilley inquired as to where Tom would prefer to have his wicketkeeper, the great fast bowler simply grinned: "You just stand where you like; I shan't hurt you."

W.G. Grace, however, captaining the side, stepped in quickly and ordered Lilley to retreat, explaining, "He won't bowl full out until you do."

 

[neville cardus]

Lockwood was considered by Fry to be a better bowler than Richardson

He was better than anyone on his day.