The Reverend George Raikes

One of the oldest living first-class cricketers, the Rev. George Barkley Raikes, died at Shepton Mallet, Somerset, on December 18 at the age of 93. Born at Carlton Forehoe, Wymondham, Norfolk, on March 14, 1873, he was in the Shrewsbury XI from 1888-1892, the last three years as captain, and won his blue at Oxford, playing against Cambridge in 1894 and 1895. He represented Norfolk from 1890-1897 and 1904-1913, captaining the county for most of the latter period; and Hampshire from 1900-1902.

At Shrewsbury he became something of the "compleat" cricketer: a tall, strong, steady and correct batsman ; a fast bowler really difficult to see and time ; a safe if not brilliant field ; a useful wicketkeeper ; and one described as "an excellent captain in every way." His five years in the XI brought him 1,568 runs for an average of 31.31 and 47 wickets at 12.53 runs each.

Up at Magdalen College, Oxford, he took a little time as bowler-batsman to consolidate himself in the strong University team, and in the matches with Cambridge met with fair success, scoring 62 runs in two completed innings and taking five wickets inexpensively. From 1893-1896 he took 47 wickets at 19.95 runs each for Oxford, being used in short bursts, and heading the averages for the years in which he appeared against Cambridge.

In 1900, able to play only occasionally owing to his clerical duties, he made a successful debut for struggling Hampshire and altogether, in nine matches for his adopted county, he averaged 27.26 with the bat and took 25 wickets. His performances for Norfolk, however, are the best remembered. For his native county he totalled 3,419 runs for an average of 30.80 and claimed 282 wickets at 15.86 runs each. Under his leadership they won the Minor Counties Championship in 1905 and 1910, in the latter year Raikes heading both batting and bowling averages splendidly with 679 runs (61.72) and 57 wickets (10.66) respectively. By now he bowled slow leg-breaks.

When in 1912 at Norwich an England XI played the Australians, he was one of those who represented England, in company with such as K. L. Hutchings, B. J. T. Bosanquet, S. G. Smith, G. J. Thompson and W. Brearley. In his younger days an expert association footballer, specialising as goalkeeper, he played for Oxford against Cambridge four times - being on the winning side in three games - and was selected for England against Scotland and Ireland in 1896 and against Wales in 1895 and 1896. He was also a member of the powerful Corinthians.

Ordained in 1897, he was successively Curate of Portsea, 1897-1905 ; Chaplain to the Duke of Portland, 1905-1920; and Rector of Bergh Apton with Holverton, 1920-1936. In the 1920s his nephew, T. B. Raikes, was also an Oxford blue and Norfolk stalwart.
The Cricketer Spring Annual 1967