Charles Hallows

CHARLES HALLOWS, who was born at Little Lever, near Bolton, on April 4, 1895, represents the third generation of a cricketing family, as his grandfather and father both played for the club of this village. Like his uncle, James Hallows, he is entirely left-handed, but unlike him he has not persevered with bowling. Nor is he quite the fine fielder of 1919, when he leaped into prominence as a batsman. After some success in the Bolton League, Hallows was engaged on the staff at Old Trafford in 1913, and a year later, advantage being taken of a county match outside the championship, played for Lancashire against Yorkshire at Hull in July. Within ten days the War broke out and Hallows entered the King's Liverpool-regiment, and was not demobilised until May, 1919. Immediately re-engaged by Lancashire, he met with almost instantaneous success. Against Sussex at Manchester he played admirably for 70 and 113 in forcing a win, while in the next match against Yorkshire he, by unwearying patience, scored 102, not out, and accomplished much to save his county from defeat. In the third consecutive match he obtained 103 and 42, not out, his enterprise against Notts ensuring another win just on the call of time. Since these performances he has never been omitted by the county selectors. During 1921--his third season as a regular member of the Lancashire eleven--he was chosen for the Players at Kennington Oval, and was included in England's team against Australia in the fourth Test Match at Manchester. From 1919 to 1927 he has made 12,979 runs in County Championship matches, earning an average of just over 41. Throughout these nine seasons he has invariably exceeded 1,000 runs, his highest aggregate for Lancashire being 1,938 in 1925. Hallows has obtained 37 centuries in first-class cricket, his highest being 233, not out, against Hampshire in 1927. At Ashby-de-la-Zouch against Leicestershire in 1924 he made 112 and 103, being not out in each declared innings. His three-figure successes have revealed such stubborn quality as 111, not out, against Yorkshire at Manchester in 1925, when his effort extended over five hours and twenty minutes, yet in the next match against Glamorgan at Swansea he reached 108 in two hours and a quarter. He can force the game; indeed it is his natural style, but he has schooled himself to severe repression, and to such inexhaustible patience that his wicket is generally very difficult to obtain. He finished last season with an admirable 120 for the Champion County against The Rest of England, and headed the batting averages for all matches. Endowed with ample reach, he has acquired a good and natural style, using a very straight Bat. Most of his runs are made by admirable driving; indeed his straight hit to the screen, or on either side of it, is as good as need be. Hitting well to leg, he eschews the cut. If his repertoire of strokes be somewhat limited, he certainly makes the most of his talents. - J.A.H.C.