With some free time this morning, I decided that a little surfing of the British Film Institute website was in order. I am glad that I did, as it unearthed a wonderful twelve minute film from 1934.
It was a game at Trent Bridge between Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire, which opens with then Nottinghamshire captain Arthur Carr leading his team down the steps of the pavilion, closely followed by the Derbyshire openers, Alan Skinner (in cap) and Albert Alderman.
As one might expect, there is a lot of footage of the great Harold Larwood hurling them down, and it is worth paying close attention to the minimal protection that the batsmen had, with wrap-around batting gloves, rubber pimples on all that protected you from a thunderbolt. No arm guards, helmets or chest pads, just your bat, reactions and talent.
For those less au fait with the county players, left-handed Denis Smith faces a lot of the bowling, as do first Alderman, now wearing a cap and then Charlie Elliott, with his hair slicked back. There is also a glimpse of Stan Worthington, walking out in a cap, while we also see tall brothers Alf and George Pope batting together.
Derbyshire made 263 all out in the innings and we next see Arthur Richardson lead our side from the pavilion. The bowling is opened by Alf Pope but then the majority is done by Thomas 'Tosser' Armstrong, bowling slow left arm, and Les Townsend, bowling off spin, mainly from around the wicket.
They bowled out Nottinghamshire for 203, taking five and four wickets respectively. There is a brief glimpse of Alderman rubbing his chest after being hit in a second innings of 135 all out, in which Bill Voce took 7 wickets.
It left Nottinghamshire needing 196 to win, but they were bowled out for 167, Townsend this time taking seven wickets and Armstrong three, the latter shown ending the game by getting Harold Butler leg before.
It is a charming period piece, which I hope you enjoy as much as I did. The weather was obviously warm, and there is a certain something about seeing fielders and umpires lying down for a breather between wickets.
For those who like their cricket history, the two umpires shown at the start of the film are the legendary Frank Chester and Alec Skelding (right, in glasses). Chester lost an arm in the First World War and was a Test umpire for 31 years. Skelding was one of the great characters of the game and there are many stories about his quick wit and sense of humour.
One final observation. While in some ways it seems a very different game to today, it was a Golden Age and watching Harold Larwood gives an indication as to how much faster he was than his contemporaries. See how Denis Smith, a fine player, has to rush his shots to keep him out.
https://player.bfi.org.uk/free/film/watch-notts-v-derby-1934-1934-online
Fascinating footage, I didn't realise such material was available, thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteIn addition to your comments, I think the wicket seems to play well which it would need to facing Larwood!
The batsmen seem to play with a weaker grip and more in front of their pads but not hitting much through midwicket. Still enough power in the old bats for the odd six though!
Larwood and Voce with their respective actions very much remind me of Lillee and Thomson, albeit Voce's slingy action being left handed.
Yes, Bill Voce was lively, but Larwood must have been a handful, especially on uncovered wickets!
DeleteYou see a lot of the old MCC coaching manual here, and the game was much different.
None the worse for it, though!