Plum Warner

The second pen-portrait in this series is that of Plum Warner. Probably best known for having a stand named after him.

Built in 1958 and for those unfamiliar with the layout at NW8, it is the one to the right of the Pavilion, if viewing from the Nursery End.

It has an upper and lower deck, in between being the Mezzanine Restaurant.

As to he man himself. He was an amateur batsman as many Middlesex batters of that time were.

He pretty well arrived as Stoddart was departing, taking over the Middlesex vice-captaincy in 1901.

He has a pretty formidable Middlesex record. Playing in 345 matches for the county.

You can find his career statistics on Cricket Archive here:

http://www.cricketarchive.com/Archive/Players/0/233/233.html

If you click on “List of matches and more detailed statistics you can see his stats for each team and against every opponent. 

His Middlesex record currently places him 15th on the all-time Middlesex list.

His Test record is a touch more modest.  15 matches with 622 runs at just under 24.
                                                                               
   
Amongst those fifteen Tests, were five in which he captained England against Australia on the 1903/04 tour.

In this series Warner was to win 3 matches and lose two. On this occasion though, the series was decided by match 4, so the last, although lost, was a dead rubber.

Since Stoddart’s triumph in 1897/98. England had lost the next three series, so Warner regained the small urn.

He won the toss in two of these matches. From my investigations: that information, as to which they were, is not recorded. So cannot enlighten.

The captain then, was always an amateur, generally a batter, and probably an MCC member. Warner fitted the bill and was invited to lead the 1903/04 tour.

On that tour he was joined by another Middlesex Legend of those far off days. BJT Bosanquet, inventor of the googly, and father of Reggie the late ITN Newsreader.

Warner had by then gained a certain amount of experience with Middlesex in such matters as leading a team.

He had actually made his England debut in the Johannesburg Test of the 1898/99 series.

Making his sole Test century in the 2nd knock of 132 no, carrying his bat after opening the batting at 2 with F.Mitchell.

England won this two match series 2-0, captained by Lord Hawke.

Pelham (Plum) Francis Warner b The Hall, Port-of-Spain, Trinidad 2 Oct 1873; knighted for services to cricket 1937: d. West Lavington, Sussex 30 Jan 1963.

The 1st Test on the 1903/04 tour was held at the SCG on 11,12,134,15,16, 17 December 1903.

BJT Bosanquet made his Test debut in this match.

This was the first team to be selected and managed by MCC. The match was won by England by 5 wickets.

Scores: Australia 285 and 485. England 577 and 194 for 5.

Salient points: Australian captain Noble scored his only century in Tests (133) on his debut as captain.

RE Foster 287 for England, was Test cricket’s highest score, until Andrew Sandham’s 325 in 1929/30.

In the second Australian innings, Victor Trumper carried his bat for 185*.

Warner meantime had opened the England innings with Hayward, scoring 0 and 8.

Bosanquet took three wickets in the match. 

2nd Test MCG 1,2,4,5 January 1904.

Rain severely curtailed play on day 2 and prevented a start on day 4 until 3.30 pm.

England batting first: batted once in good conditions and won the match by 185 runs.

Scores: England 315 and 103. Australia 122 and 111.

Warner batting at 1, made 68 and 3.

Rhodes set a record in the series by taking 15 wickets in the match – despite having 8 catches dropped.

3rd Test Adelaide Oval 15,16,18,19, 20 January 1904.

This was a must win Test for Australia, which they duly did by 216 runs.

Scores: Australia 388 and 351. England 245 and 278.

Salient points: on the first day Australia’s Clem Hill became the first batsman to score 2,000 runs in Tests when he reached 31 while compiling 88.

Trumper was the first to score 4 hundreds against England. Making 113 in the first innings.

Gregory equalled that in the second innings, making 112.

For England: Warner made 48 and 79, batting at 1, with Hayward at 2.

Bernard Bosanquet took 3 for 95 and 4 for 73 in a losing cause.

4th Test SCG  26, 27, 29 (no play) February and 1,2,3 March 1904.

This was another must win match for Australia, however England clinched the series, winning by 157 runs.

Inclement weather, meant a low scoring match. Frequent interruptions by rain meant no play on day 3 and the 4th day start was delayed until 4pm.

This extended a low scoring game into the 6th morning.

Scores England: 249 and 210. Australia 131 and 171.

Salient points: a spell of 5 for 12, by the inventor of the googly, Bosanquet, enabled England to regain the Ashes. A very significant contribution.

Warner contributed 0 and batting at nine, 31no.

5th Test  MCG on 5,7,8 March 1904.

Now a dead rubber, Australia gained some compensation, winning by 218 runs.

Overnight rain on the close of day 1, delayed day 2 until 4pm, and greatly affected the pitch.  Australia’s 19 year old fast bowler Cotter being especially dangerous..

Hugh Trumble took his second Test hat-trick, in his final first class match, dismissing Bosanquet, Warner and Lilley.

Noble became the second player after G.Giffen to complete the Test double for Australia.

Scores: Australia 247 and 133. England 63 and 101.

Warner batting at 4 and 5 contributed 1 and 11.

Still no matter. The small urn had been regained and must have been the highlight of Plum’s Test career.

Becoming the second Middlesex player, captaining England, to pull off a series win in Australia. No mean feat.

In later life, Warner became a Test selector and also MCC manager in the controversial Bodyline Tour of 1932/33.

As stated earlier, he was knighted in 1937 for his services to cricket.

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