George Louden

Wisden obituary
George Marshall Louden died at Amersham on December 28 at the fine old age of 87. I am afraid it is many years since we last met and it was as long ago as the seasons of 1920, 1921 and 1922 that we played first-class cricket together. He played for Essex from 1913 to 1927, and for the Gentlemen on four occasions. He certainly had one of the most beautiful actions of any bowler I have had the privilege of fielding for or indeed playing against. Tall, slim and good-looking, he took only a relatively short run before bowling his fast-medium with a smooth high action. He made the ball move a bit each way but perhaps his greatest asset was his speed and lift off the wicket. (I recall dear Phil Mead being very surprised by one ball at Leyton well up to him which struck him firmly in his tummy!) George did not have great physique but his beautiful economic action enabled him to bowl for long spells - and I think I can honestly say I never saw him bowl other than very well. He was not a great fieldsman and he batted at No. 11 more often than in any other position. However I recall his splendid unselfish defence in a last-wicket stand at Leyton against Middlesex in 1922 when he made three while my brother Claude made 97. He was only able to play first-class cricket on rare occasions: even so he was unlucky not to have played in a Test. Indeed, in 1921 the Australians thought he should have played for England. But above all he was one of the kindest and gentlest people one could hope to meet. The world will be a much poorer place without him and we extend our sincere sympathy to his family.
Sir Hubert Ashton, The Cricketer, February 1973