PLAYED FOR KENT

Wairarapa Times-Age, 7 June 1938, Page 9

PLAYED FOR KENT

WHEN ONLY A BOY. MR G. H. CLARKE OF MASTERTON ASSOCIATION WITH CELEBRATED CRICKETERS. Mr G. H. Clarke, a very old and highly respected citizen of Masterton, was in his younger days a keen follower and participator in various branches of sport, particularly cricket. He recalls the fact that when a schoolboy he was selected to play for Kent County against Lords at Baxley. It appears that a member of the Kent county team was unable to play on account of an injury. So it was decided that the best boy player in the County should be selected to fill his place, and Mr Clarke was chosen. He justified his inclusion by making 11 runs. One of the bowlers was Woollett, the famous one-arm trundler. Included among the players that day was the celebrated Sir Alfred Minn, then recognised as in the forefront of English players. This was the second last match in which Sir Alfred played. The last cricket game in which the latter participated before he died was at Lord Romney’s Park, which was opposite Squire Whatman’s Park. Squire Whatnfan was the father of the late Mr E. M. D. Whatman and Mr A. P. Whatman of Masterton. The match in which Mr Clarke participated was played some 75 years ago. Two of Mr Clarke’s sons were well known Wairarapa footballers in their younger days—the late Mr Charlie Clarke and Mr Fred Clarke, who still resides in Masterton, both of whom played for the Red Star seniors in pre-war days. Mr Clarke still retains vivid recollections of incidents in early English cricket, and follows the play of the Australians at Home with keen interest.