| Player: | JH Board |
Gloucestershire has a fine tradition of wicket-keepers, culminating with Jack Russell, but Jack Board was as good as any. He made his first-class debut in unlikely circumstances, coming out of Bristol club cricket to play for South v North as a late replacement. Coming into the Gloucestershire team in 1891, he was not out of it again until cricket was halted by the First World War 23 years later. Described by Wisden as "fearless and untiring - but never the best in England" behind the stumps he did play six Tests on two tours of South Africa. He also toured Australia but Storer was preferred in Tests. Solid behind the stumps, he enjoyed his craft so much that the batsman would often hear him cheerfully whistling to himself behind him. Originally a tail-ender, he developed his batting such that he made over 1.000 runs in six seasons with 8 first-class hundreds including a highest score of 214.
He played 430 first-class games for Gloucestershire (more than WG), and from 1909 to 1915 made the long trip to the other side of the world to play for Hawkes Bay in New Zealand. After the war he became a first-class umpire, and coached every winter in South Africa - he passed away on board ship whilst returning home in 1924.
(Article: Copyright © 2003 Dave Liverman)
