Born in Sheffield on 1 November 1884, Lionel Kirk was a good right-hand batsman with Forest Amateurs CC having previously attended Oakham School. He made his debut for Notts v Surrey at Trent Bridge in June 1920 but did not re-appear until July 1923 when he played two useful innings – 51 and a personal best 86 versus West Indians at Trent Bridge. When Notts re-entered the Minor Counties championship in 1924, Lionel Kirk was appointed Captain of the Second XI, a post he officially held until 1930, though in 1926 and again in 1930 he only made two appearances for the team. In each of the seasons 1925 to 1929 he played two or three matches for the First XI, including the disastrous last match of 1927 when he as Captain had the mortifying experience of seeing the championship slip from Nottinghamshire’s grasp when the side seemed certain to attain that honour. His last First-Class match was versus Glamorgan at Pontypridd in July 1929 and in 14 games for Notts he scored 358 runs @17.90.
Lionel Kirk was a member of Notts CCC Committee from 1923 until his death on 27 February 1953 at the General Hospital in Nottingham. From 1949 to 1952 he was Chairman of the Selection Committee and in 1951 he was President of the Club.
In his younger days he had been a noted rugger player and had represented Notts.
April 2020
Nottinghamshire First-Class Number: 203