Richard Tyldesley

RICHARD TYLDESLEY, who bowled with such consistent success last summer that the M.C.C. picked him for the tour in Australia, was born on the 11th of March, 1898. A man of unusual bulk he looks a good deal older than his years. His was no sudden jump into prominence. He came out for Lancashire in 1919 and in the two-day county matches of that year made some little mark as a slow bowler, taking thirty-three wickets. So far as I remember there was no suggestion that a player of more than ordinary class had been discovered. He steadily improved both as bowler and batsman during the next three years, getting his first hundred for Lancashire in 1922, but it was not until 1923 that he became a real force. In that season, taking 106 wickets in county matches for less than 15½ runs each, he was a good second to Parkin among the Lancashire bowlers, and such an impression did he create that in August he was picked for the Rest against England in the Test Trial at Lord's. The compliment was well-deserved, but in a disappointing game Tyldesley was given no chance, his bowling being restricted to six overs in England's first innings. Last summer, as everyone knows, full distinction came to him. He played for England in four of the five Test matches with South Africa and bowled uncommonly well. On the third day at Lord's it was his impeccable length more than anything else that prevented the South Africans saving the single innings defeat when--as the result of a premature declaration--the English bowlers had to be so desperately economical of runs. In the course of the season he did many brilliant things, best of all being his six wickets for 18 runs, when he and Parkin got Yorkshire out for 33 in the last innings of the Whitsuntide match at Leeds, and his seven wickets for 27 against the South Africans at Old Trafford. Richard Tyldesley as a slow bowler is quite individual in style. Length is his sovereign merit. The leg break he manages so cleverly is not in itself anything alarming but it is enough to beat the bat and it is under thorough control. He never seems to tire and it is remarkable what a number of wickets he gets with balls that do not turn an inch. As was the case with Armstrong and E. R. Wilson, I think he is flattered by batsmen who will not go out of their ground to hit, but that is another story. - S.H.P.