Walter Franklin
Encyclopedia
Walter Bell Franklin was an English
cricket
er. Franklin was a right-handed batsman who fielded as a wicket-keeper
. He was considered the best amateur wicket-keeper of his time.
, Surrey
, he was educated at Repton School
, where he represented the school cricket team. Franklin went on to make his debut for Buckinghamshire
against Berkshire
in the 1911 Minor Counties Championship. In that same season he made his first-class
debut for Cambridge University
against Yorkshire
. He would go on to make a further 14 first-class appearances for the university, the last of which came against HDG Leveson-Gower's XI
in 1913. He gained his Blue in 1912, but in 1913 he did find his opportunities limited by the arrival of Arthur Lang in the team, who the Cambridge selectors thought was a better batsman. A more than capable wicket-keeper, Franklin took 16 catches and made 15 stumpings, an unusual amount considering most wicket-keepers will take considerably more catches in their first-class careers. With the bat in hand, he scored 307 runs at an average
of 21.92, with a high score of 68 not out
. This score, one of two fifties he made for the university, came against Sussex
in 1913.
1914 saw Franklin make his debut for the Marylebone Cricket Club
, playing two matches against Oxford University
. However, further first-class appearances and appearances for Buckinghamshire were cut short in later in that year when county cricket
was cancelled due to the start of World War I
. He served in the war and was mentioned once in dispatches, in July 1917, when the London Gazette
published details of his temporary promotion to Captain
, with him already holding the rank of temporary Lieutenant
. Franklin held this rank as a recruiter in the Volunteer Force.
Following the war, he returned to play for Buckinghamshire and was made county captain
upon his return. In 1921, Buckinghamshire were offered first-class status and the chance to join the County Championship
, however Buckinghamshire declined the invitation citing a lack of first-class facilities in the county. The early twenties were a successful period for the county, under his captaincy Buckinghamshire won the Minor Counties Championship in 1922, 1923 and 1925. Further first-class appearances followed for Franklin for the Marylebone Cricket Club, who he would go on to make a further 27 first-class appearances for, the last of which came against Kent
in 1933. In 29 first-class matches for the MCC, he scored 660 runs at an average of 17.36, with a high score of 77. This score was one of two half centuries he made for the MCC, and came against Wales in 1925. Behind the stumps he was again proficient, taking 31 catches and making 25 stumpings.
against the Players in 1926. His performances for the Gentlemen in 1926, and his ability behind the stumps were written about by Sir Pelham Warner in his book Lord's, in which he wrote about how well Franklin kept in the match, as well as comparing him as being on the same level as George Duckworth
, the then England Test
wicket-keeper. He made 6 further first-class appearances for the Gentlemen, playing his last match against the players in 1930. An appearance for the North came in 1928, alongside his appearances for the MCC. He later made further first-class appearances for the Minor Counties in the mid thirties, mostly against touring teams, it was against the touring New Zealanders in 1937 that his final first-class appearance came. At Buckinghamshire, further success came under his captaincy, with the county winning the Minor Counties Championship in 1932 and 1938, making him the most successful captain in Buckinghamshire's history, an accolade which remains to this day. Having played for the county since 1911, making 200 appearances in that time, he finally retired from county cricket in 1946. For a Minor counties cricketer, Franklin made a large number of first-class appearances, making 60 in total and scoring 1,362 runs at an average of 18.91. It was perhaps behind the stumps that he stood out most, taking 63 catches and making an impressive 53 stumpings.
Following retirement he became president of the Minor Counties Cricket Association, as well as becoming president of Buckinghamshire County Cricket Club. He also contributed a chapter in the Lonsdale volume on wicket-keeping. He was also a master at the Haberdashers' Company
. He died of a heart attack while playing croquet
at Knodishall
, Suffolk
on 5 March 1968. He was survived by his wife, his son Dr. Jonathan M. Franklin and his daughter, Miss Virginia Franklin, with Franklin later being cremated in a private ceremony. A memorial service was held for Franklin on 8 May 1968, with the service being addressed by Sir Ian Bowater, then master of the Haberdashers' Company.
English people
The English are a nation and ethnic group native to England, who speak English. The English identity is of early mediaeval origin, when they were known in Old English as the Anglecynn. England is now a country of the United Kingdom, and the majority of English people in England are British Citizens...
cricket
Cricket
Cricket is a bat-and-ball game played between two teams of 11 players on an oval-shaped field, at the centre of which is a rectangular 22-yard long pitch. One team bats, trying to score as many runs as possible while the other team bowls and fields, trying to dismiss the batsmen and thus limit the...
er. Franklin was a right-handed batsman who fielded as a wicket-keeper
Wicket-keeper
The wicket-keeper in the sport of cricket is the player on the fielding side who stands behind the wicket or stumps being guarded by the batsman currently on strike...
. He was considered the best amateur wicket-keeper of his time.
Early career
Born in Upper NorwoodUpper Norwood
Upper Norwood is an elevated area in south London, England within the postcode SE19. It is a residential district largely in the London Borough of Croydon although some parts extend into the London Borough of Lambeth, London Borough of Southwark and the London Borough of Bromley. Upper Norwood...
, Surrey
Surrey
Surrey is a county in the South East of England and is one of the Home Counties. The county borders Greater London, Kent, East Sussex, West Sussex, Hampshire and Berkshire. The historic county town is Guildford. Surrey County Council sits at Kingston upon Thames, although this has been part of...
, he was educated at Repton School
Repton School
Repton School, founded in 1557, is a co-educational English independent school for both day and boarding pupils, in the British public school tradition, located in the village of Repton, in Derbyshire, in the Midlands area of England...
, where he represented the school cricket team. Franklin went on to make his debut for Buckinghamshire
Buckinghamshire County Cricket Club
Buckinghamshire County Cricket Club is one of the county clubs which make up the Minor Counties in the English domestic cricket structure, representing the historic county of Buckinghamshire and playing in the Minor Counties Championship and the MCCA Knockout Trophy. The Minor Counties play...
against Berkshire
Berkshire County Cricket Club
Berkshire County Cricket Club is one of the county clubs which make up the Minor Counties in the English domestic cricket structure, representing the historic county of Berkshire and playing in the Minor Counties Championship and MCCA Knockout Trophy....
in the 1911 Minor Counties Championship. In that same season he made his first-class
First-class cricket
First-class cricket is a class of cricket that consists of matches of three or more days' scheduled duration, that are between two sides of eleven players and are officially adjudged first-class by virtue of the standard of the competing teams...
debut for Cambridge University
Cambridge University Cricket Club
Cambridge University Cricket Club is a first-class cricket team. It now plays all but one of its first-class cricket matches as part of the Cambridge University Centre of Cricketing Excellence , which includes Anglia Ruskin University...
against Yorkshire
Yorkshire County Cricket Club
Yorkshire County Cricket Club represents the historic county of Yorkshire as one of the 18 major county clubs which make up the English and Welsh domestic cricket structure....
. He would go on to make a further 14 first-class appearances for the university, the last of which came against HDG Leveson-Gower's XI
HDG Leveson-Gower
Sir Henry Dudley Gresham Leveson Gower was an English cricketer who played for Oxford University and Surrey as well as England. He was the seventh son of Granville William Gresham Leveson-Gower JP DL FSA, by his wife The Hon Sophia Leveson Gower LJStJ .He captained England in all three of the Test...
in 1913. He gained his Blue in 1912, but in 1913 he did find his opportunities limited by the arrival of Arthur Lang in the team, who the Cambridge selectors thought was a better batsman. A more than capable wicket-keeper, Franklin took 16 catches and made 15 stumpings, an unusual amount considering most wicket-keepers will take considerably more catches in their first-class careers. With the bat in hand, he scored 307 runs at an average
Batting average
Batting average is a statistic in both cricket and baseball that measures the performance of cricket batsmen and baseball hitters. The two statistics are related in that baseball averages are directly descended from the concept of cricket averages.- Cricket :...
of 21.92, with a high score of 68 not out
Not out
In cricket, a batsman will be not out if he comes out to bat in an innings and has not been dismissed by the end of the innings. One may similarly describe a batsman as not out while the innings is still in progress...
. This score, one of two fifties he made for the university, came against Sussex
Sussex County Cricket Club
Sussex County Cricket Club is the oldest of the 18 major county clubs which make up the English and Welsh domestic cricket structure, representing the historic county of Sussex. The club was founded as a successor to Brighton Cricket Club which was a representative of the county of Sussex as a...
in 1913.
1914 saw Franklin make his debut for the Marylebone Cricket Club
Marylebone Cricket Club
Marylebone Cricket Club is a cricket club in London founded in 1787. Its influence and longevity now witness it as a private members' club dedicated to the development of cricket. It owns, and is based at, Lord's Cricket Ground in St John's Wood, London NW8. MCC was formerly the governing body of...
, playing two matches against Oxford University
Oxford University Cricket Club
Oxford University Cricket Club is a first-class cricket team, representing the University of Oxford. It plays its home games at the University Parks in Oxford, England...
. However, further first-class appearances and appearances for Buckinghamshire were cut short in later in that year when county cricket
County cricket
County cricket is the highest level of domestic cricket in England and Wales. For the 2010 season, see 2010 English cricket season.-First-class counties:...
was cancelled due to the start of World War I
World War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
. He served in the war and was mentioned once in dispatches, in July 1917, when the London Gazette
London Gazette
The London Gazette is one of the official journals of record of the British government, and the most important among such official journals in the United Kingdom, in which certain statutory notices are required to be published...
published details of his temporary promotion to Captain
Captain (OF-2)
The army rank of captain is a commissioned officer rank historically corresponding to command of a company of soldiers. The rank is also used by some air forces and marine forces. Today a captain is typically either the commander or second-in-command of a company or artillery battery...
, with him already holding the rank of temporary Lieutenant
Lieutenant
A lieutenant is a junior commissioned officer in many nations' armed forces. Typically, the rank of lieutenant in naval usage, while still a junior officer rank, is senior to the army rank...
. Franklin held this rank as a recruiter in the Volunteer Force.
Following the war, he returned to play for Buckinghamshire and was made county captain
Captain (cricket)
The captain of a cricket team often referred to as the skipper is the appointed leader, having several additional roles and responsibilities over and above those of a regular player...
upon his return. In 1921, Buckinghamshire were offered first-class status and the chance to join the County Championship
County Championship
The County Championship is the domestic first-class cricket competition in England and Wales...
, however Buckinghamshire declined the invitation citing a lack of first-class facilities in the county. The early twenties were a successful period for the county, under his captaincy Buckinghamshire won the Minor Counties Championship in 1922, 1923 and 1925. Further first-class appearances followed for Franklin for the Marylebone Cricket Club, who he would go on to make a further 27 first-class appearances for, the last of which came against Kent
Kent County Cricket Club
Kent County Cricket Club is one of the 18 first class county county cricket clubs which make up the English and Welsh national cricket structure, representing the county of Kent...
in 1933. In 29 first-class matches for the MCC, he scored 660 runs at an average of 17.36, with a high score of 77. This score was one of two half centuries he made for the MCC, and came against Wales in 1925. Behind the stumps he was again proficient, taking 31 catches and making 25 stumpings.
Later career
He made his first appearance for the Minor Counties in 1924 against HDG Leveson-Gower's XI. His abilities behind the stumps were rated so highly that he was selected to represent the GentlemenGentlemen v Players
The Gentlemen v Players game was a first-class cricket match that was generally played on an annual basis between one team consisting of amateurs and one of professionals . The first two games took place in 1806 but the fixture was not revived until 1819. It was more or less annual thereafter...
against the Players in 1926. His performances for the Gentlemen in 1926, and his ability behind the stumps were written about by Sir Pelham Warner in his book Lord's, in which he wrote about how well Franklin kept in the match, as well as comparing him as being on the same level as George Duckworth
George Duckworth
George Duckworth was a professional cricketer who played first-class cricket for Lancashire and England....
, the then England Test
Test cricket
Test cricket is the longest form of the sport of cricket. Test matches are played between national representative teams with "Test status", as determined by the International Cricket Council , with four innings played between two teams of 11 players over a period of up to a maximum five days...
wicket-keeper. He made 6 further first-class appearances for the Gentlemen, playing his last match against the players in 1930. An appearance for the North came in 1928, alongside his appearances for the MCC. He later made further first-class appearances for the Minor Counties in the mid thirties, mostly against touring teams, it was against the touring New Zealanders in 1937 that his final first-class appearance came. At Buckinghamshire, further success came under his captaincy, with the county winning the Minor Counties Championship in 1932 and 1938, making him the most successful captain in Buckinghamshire's history, an accolade which remains to this day. Having played for the county since 1911, making 200 appearances in that time, he finally retired from county cricket in 1946. For a Minor counties cricketer, Franklin made a large number of first-class appearances, making 60 in total and scoring 1,362 runs at an average of 18.91. It was perhaps behind the stumps that he stood out most, taking 63 catches and making an impressive 53 stumpings.
Following retirement he became president of the Minor Counties Cricket Association, as well as becoming president of Buckinghamshire County Cricket Club. He also contributed a chapter in the Lonsdale volume on wicket-keeping. He was also a master at the Haberdashers' Company
Worshipful Company of Haberdashers
The Worshipful Company of Haberdashers is one of the senior Livery Companies of the City of London. The organisation, following on from the Mercers' Company, another Livery Company connected with clothing and haberdashery, received a Royal Charter in 1448...
. He died of a heart attack while playing croquet
Croquet
Croquet is a lawn game, played both as a recreational pastime and as a competitive sport. It involves hitting plastic or wooden balls with a mallet through hoops embedded into the grass playing court.-History:...
at Knodishall
Knodishall
Knodishall is a village in Suffolk, England. The village is located southeast of Saxmundham and southwest of Leiston, its post town. Most of the village is now in Coldfair Green, with only a few houses remaining in the original village by the parish church of St Lawrence.-Community:The village...
, Suffolk
Suffolk
Suffolk is a non-metropolitan county of historic origin in East Anglia, England. It has borders with Norfolk to the north, Cambridgeshire to the west and Essex to the south. The North Sea lies to the east...
on 5 March 1968. He was survived by his wife, his son Dr. Jonathan M. Franklin and his daughter, Miss Virginia Franklin, with Franklin later being cremated in a private ceremony. A memorial service was held for Franklin on 8 May 1968, with the service being addressed by Sir Ian Bowater, then master of the Haberdashers' Company.
External links
- Walter Franklin at ESPNcricinfo
- Walter Franklin at CricketArchiveCricketArchiveCricketArchive is a website that aims to provide a comprehensive archive of records relating to the sport of cricket. It claims to be the most comprehensive cricket database on the internet, including scorecards for all matches of first-class cricket , List A cricket , Women's Test cricket and...