Alonzo Drake

The death took place on February 14 of this well-known Yorkshire cricketer at his home at Westgate, Hanley, near Huddersfield. He was in his 35th year. Drake--left-handed both as batsmen and bowler--first found a place in the Yorkshire team in 1909, having previously played for the second eleven. Tried in five matches, he showed distinct promise, but in the following season he fell below expectation, and it was not until 1911 that he firmly established himself in the side. In that season he had a batting average of 35 in county matches, and took 61 wickets. Thenceforward, until the outbreak of the war put a stop to first-class cricket, he was one of the best men in the Yorkshire eleven. In 1913 he came right to the front as a bowler, taking 102 wickets and heading the Yorkshire averages with the late M. W. Booth next to him. Finally, in 1914, he bowled better than ever, taking 135 wickets and being again practically at the head of the averages. Eclipsing everything he had previously done, he took all ten Somerset wickets in one innings at Weston-super-Mare, his analysis for the full match being fifteen wickets for 51 runs. For some little time before his death he was in a bad state of health. On a wicket that helped him he was a very difficult bowler, and in 1914 he seemed likely to have a big future. He was born at Parkgate, near Rotherham, April 16, 1884.

BOWLING PERFORMANCES.

BOWLING UNCHANGED THROUGH BOTH COMPLETED INNINGS:--