Flashback: When a batter lost his wicket due to missing his glasses
Cricket back in the 1930s had not attained much fame and fortune, but it garnered interest relatively due to the legendary Sir Donald Bradman’s outstanding and consistent batting during that era.
While there were many breathtaking on-field performances from the yesteryear players there were also some shocking incidents where a few of them found themselves at the receiving end. Meanwhile, it was on 17th August 1931 that a batter was declared absent after missing his glasses in the hotel room.
When John Henry Parsons regretted missing his glasses in the hotel room
John Henry Parsons aka Jack Parsons represented Warwickshire between 1910 and 1934. It so happened that Warwickshire had visited Worcester for a County Championship match back in 1931.
The match commenced on August 15 at the County Ground in New Road. The visiting captain Robert Wyatt called it right at the toss and elected to bat first. Nonetheless, Warwickshire could only post a total of 52/2 after the end of the first day’s play which was halted early due to inclement weather conditions.
The next day, on August 16, happened to be a Sunday which was a rest day and therefore play resumed on Monday the 17th.
Warwickshire looked to make amends having lost two early wickets on the opening day, but little did they know that their innings would sum up way sooner than expected.
Overnight batter Leonard Bates walked out to bat with captain Robert Wyatt. However, it was Parsons who was supposed to bat at number five. Parsons realized that he had forgotten his glasses in the hotel room itself and instantly rushed back to get them.
Moreover, the then 41-year-old was also a seasoned player having played 285 first-class matches for Warwickshire prior to this game. When the veteran returned to his hotel room to fetch and bring his glasses, he knew that he would not be batting at his regular number five position, but would make it back to the venue just in time to bat.
Unfortunately for Parsons, things didn’t work out for him by any means and as soon as he was back, Warwickshire were already skittled out 123 with Jack Henry Parsons being declared absent hurt. The decision was taken as he was not present at the ground after the fall of the ninth wicket.
Nonetheless, the visitors got a chance to bat on the very same day as Worcester were bundled out for just 129 courtesy of brilliant bowling figures of Wyatt (6/52) and George Paine (4/33).
Warwickshire scored 200 in their second innings to set up a target of 195 runs and they bowled out the hosts for only 110 to register an 84-run victory.
