1926

The Committee Report

The Committee begs to present its Annual Report and Balance Sheet for 1926.

The Season was rendered memorable by the visit of the Australians and interest was greatly increased for us in Nottinghamshire, seeing that Mr. Carr was unanimously chosen to lead England – much to the gratification of all our Members, who keenly appreciated the honor done to our Captain. The First Test was staged at Trent Bridge but, unfortunately, was ruined by rain, only a few minutes play being possible on the first day. Even so, the fixture must be considered a financial success, for after paying all expenses no less than £3,568 was sent to Headquarters. As every one knows, only the last Test Match was fought to a finish, and now the “Ashes” are again in England’s keeping.

Apart from Mr. Carr’s Captaincy in the first four Test Matches, extreme satisfaction was felt locally in the selection of Larwood to play at Lords and the Oval. The young Notts. bowler more than justified his choice and with Hobbs, Sutcliffe and Rhodes, had a leading share in England’s victory. It must be allowed, however, that Mr. Carr’s and Larwood’s absence from so many County Matches had its effect on the Notts. Team throughout the Season.

In 1926 Notts. finished fourth in the Championship list to Lancashire, Yorkshire and Kent. The match v. the Australians was lost by an innings, while of the County Matches thirteen were won, seven lost, and nine drawn – four being won on the first innings and five lost. The Match with Yorkshire at Leeds, was abandoned without a ball being bowled, and the Match v. Cambridge University was drawn only one innings on each side being completed.

The outstanding batsman of the year was Payton who finished tenth in the English averages with 47 runs per innings, including six centuries. Whysall with six centuries – two in the Match with Gloucestershire at Trent Bridge – also had a fine season and made the highest score of his career, 209 v. Essex at Leyton. Both these players missed several matches through accident or illness. George Gunn in spite of an injury to his hand – a finger being fractured in the Lancashire match – had a very good season, his 191 v. Surrey, at Whitsun, being one of the best innings of the season at Trent Bridge. Walker showed continuous improvement and scored three centuries. Mr. Carr scored two centuries and Flint one. The first five of these players scored over 1,000 runs. Lilley kept wicket well and was a very useful batsman.

Three of the bowlers took over 100 wickets, Staples for the first time in his career, a similar feat being accomplished by Larwood, who has more than fulfilled expectation, and finished eighth in the English bowling averages. Richmond, with 149 wickets, was the most effective bowler throughout the season.

The fielding was not so good as usual, but an exception must be made in the case of Staples (S.) whose catching in the slips and at short leg deserves special comment.

Your Committee where happy in being able to call upon Major R. H. T. Turner and Mr. Lionel Kirk to captain the side in Mr. Carr’s absence.

Staples (A.), Shipston and Keeton took part in several Matches. Mr. Carr led the side with his usual ability, set an example in the field and delighted the crowd with his vigorous batting.

In the Minor Counties Competition Notts. 2^nd played eight matches and won one. The bowling of Voce, a young left-hander from Annesley Woodhouse, stands out. Shipston and Keeton batted well, and Wheat was a good wicket-keeper.

The Financial statement must be considered very satisfactory, but it must be remembered how much is due to the Australians visits, £1,0230 being the net receipts from our own Match and £2,915 from the Test (and Trial) Match pool.

Then the Record Membership – 4,962- subscriptions amounting to £8,398 is largely due to the same cause. The Match receipts of £5,488 in County Matches show an increase and there is a profit on the year’s working of £564 2s. 6d.

The very large sum of £5,197 has been spent in improvements on the Ground. This includes the two new Stands, an expenditure which was necessary to equip the ground properly for Test Match cricket. There are still other improvements which your Committee considers necessary.

The cost of the new Entrance near the Trent Bridge Hotel was generously borne by Major Philip Birkin and the late Mr. W. Eben Hardy.

In the large room of the Members’ Pavilion, the cleaning and rearrangement of the Prints, Portraits and other pictures have been carried out. This work was kindly supervised by Dr. H. J. Spenser, the cost being met by Mr. A. W. Shelton.

In Whysall’s Benefit Match, for which the Yorkshire game was set apart by your Committee, the result was very disappointing; though there were three full days’ cricket, the takings were only £513, a result influenced, no doubt, by the fact of the absence of so many prominent players on both sides.

Your Committee has to record, with sorrow, the death, which took place with startling suddenness during the season, of Mr. W. Eben Hardy, a Member of the Committee, and President of the Club in 1924, a keen sportsman and a generous supporter of the game.

Since the close of the Season one of the great all-rounders of Notts. Cricket, who brought fame to his County and represented his Country – Wilfred Flowers – has passed away. From 1877 to 1896 he was one of the best known men in English Cricket and was the first professional to take over 100 wickets and score 1,000 runs in one season and actually obtained a century in his last County match.

Your committee has granted a benefit in 1927 to Richmond – the Yorkshire Match being again chosen.

The Duke of Portland, President of the Club, has made the generous donation of £100.
By order of the Committee,
        G. O. GAULD, Hon, Secretary.