Deaths on May 3

Frank Foster, English cricketer (b. 1889)

Frank Rowbotham Foster (1889–1958) was a name synonymous with cricketing brilliance in the early 20th century, particularly as a remarkable all-rounder for Warwickshire and England. Born on January 31, 1889, and passing away on May 3, 1958, Foster's career, though tragically cut short by an accident during World War I, yielded achievements that firmly place him among the sport's finest multi-talented players. His formative years were spent at Solihull School in the West Midlands, where the foundations for his extraordinary sporting prowess were likely laid.

A Master of Both Bat and Ball

Foster’s playing style was distinctive and highly effective, making him a formidable opponent. As a bowler, he was a fast-medium left-armer, a rare and potent combination. What truly set him apart was his exceptional ability to manipulate the ball's release, famously described by the revered Wisden Cricketers' Almanack as making the ball "double its speed upon hitting the ground"—a testament to his deceptive pace and skill. He bowled from a wide angle relative to the bowling crease, yet his delivery was remarkably straight, a paradox achieved through the inward swing generated by his effortlessly fluid body action. Coupled with his considerable height for the era, standing at approximately 6-foot 1 inch (186 centimetres), this allowed him to extract significant bounce from the pitch, often troubling even the most accomplished batsmen.

With the bat, Foster was an aggressive and rapid scorer, possessing a wide array of strokes. Many of his most impactful innings were played at a scoring rate exceeding a run a minute, an astonishing pace for Test and first-class cricket in the early 1900s, where defensive play was far more common and quick scoring a rarity. However, his batting technique, while often dazzling, harboured notable flaws, particularly on challenging, unpredictable wickets. These shortcomings, which he never fully managed to overcome, occasionally proved costly, showcasing the dual nature of his daring approach.

Early Career and Ascending Stardom (1908–1910)

Hailing from Lincolnshire descent, and distinctly separate from the famous Foster cricketing family of Worcestershire, Frank Foster embarked on his first-class journey with Warwickshire in 1908. In his debut season, he quickly demonstrated his bowling potential, claiming 23 wickets at a very economical cost across just five matches. However, there were initial concerns that he might have been pushing himself too hard, perhaps striving for excessive pace. The following year, 1909, saw him establish himself as a regular fixture in the Warwickshire squad, though his success was modest. It was during this period that tantalizing glimpses of his hard-hitting batting ability first began to emerge.

The year 1910 marked a significant turning point, truly signalling Foster’s arrival on the national cricketing stage. Despite a summer known for its wet conditions—a climate generally less favourable for his fast-medium bowling style—he amassed an impressive 91 wickets for Warwickshire at an average cost of 22 runs per wicket. Across all matches that season, he surpassed the century mark for wickets taken, a considerable achievement. His burgeoning reputation earned him selection for the prestigious Gentlemen against Players matches, a classic amateur versus professional contest. Here, he demonstrated his class by taking 4 wickets for 34 runs in the second innings at The Oval, an exact replica of his figures the very next week at Lord’s. While his Lord's performance was somewhat tempered by the exceptionally worn and low-bouncing pitch, his overall calibre was so highly regarded that he was chosen to represent the Rest of England against Kent, a county that had dominated the season with unparalleled supremacy. Despite this honour, he uncharacteristically struggled to find his rhythm and length during that particular match.

The Zenith: Warwickshire's Championship and Ashes Glory (1911–1912)

Warwickshire's Unforgettable 1911 Championship

The 1911 season began with uncertainty, as business commitments raised doubts about Foster's availability, even after he had accepted the Warwickshire captaincy. Yet, what unfolded was an extraordinary display of individual brilliance and leadership. Right from his first appearance, Foster orchestrated a series of remarkable feats. He proved astute in his tactical decisions, twice employing "change bowlers" to secure crucial wickets for Warwickshire in early fixtures. A highlight arrived in early June, despite a loss to Yorkshire, where he achieved the rare "match double," scoring his maiden century while also taking an impressive 9 wickets for 118 runs in the first innings. While his efforts in the unusually hot and dry May weather had significantly bolstered Warwickshire's standing, a brief wet spell in June saw them slip back to mid-table.

However, the return of sizzling, dry conditions sparked an incredible resurgence. With Foster and his teammate Frank Field expertly exploiting the now extremely fast wickets, Warwickshire embarked on an unstoppable winning streak, only occasionally paused by high-scoring draws. This remarkable run culminated in the county claiming the coveted County Championship title. During this golden period, Foster's batting was sensational, including a magnificent 200 runs against Surrey and an exhilarating 105 runs scored in just an hour against Yorkshire. His bowling also reached new heights, notably capturing 11 wickets for 73 runs in the final match against Northamptonshire. By the season's close, Foster topped both the batting and bowling averages for his county, a rare and prestigious distinction that made his selection for the upcoming 1911/12 Ashes tour to Australia an absolute certainty.

Triumphs Down Under: The 1911/12 Ashes Tour

On the hallowed grounds of Australia, Frank Foster showcased his exceptional talent on the famously hard and bouncy pitches, conditions that often pose a significant challenge for English bowlers accustomed to softer wickets. His performance was nothing short of legendary: he snared an astounding 32 wickets across the five Test matches at an impressive average of just 21.62 runs per wicket, a feat that has rarely been surpassed in the annals of Anglo-Australian cricketing history. His debut saw him claim five crucial wickets in the second innings in Sydney, immediately making his mark. While he didn't convert starts into massive centuries, he batted consistently throughout the tour and scored two hundreds in minor matches, proving his all-round value.

Challenges and Final Flourishes (1912–1914)

The extraordinary conditions of 1911 had undeniably played a role in Warwickshire's Championship triumph, a fact widely acknowledged at the time. The summer of 1912 proved to be a stark contrast, an abnormally wet season that mirrored the dryness of the previous year. Consequently, Warwickshire, after an initial flurry of four wins, slid back to a mid-table position. On the slow and treacherous pitches of 1912, the inherent flaws in Foster's batting technique became glaringly apparent, causing his batting average to plummet from a stellar 44 to a modest 19. Yet, his bowling continued to shine brightly. He delivered a masterful spell of 5 wickets for just 16 runs in a Test match against South Africa, followed by an impressive 11 for 87 against Middlesex, and a haul of 12 wickets against Leicestershire, reaffirming his status as a world-class bowler irrespective of conditions.

Whispers of business commitments threatening his playing career resurfaced in 1912 and persisted into 1913. Indeed, 1913 stands as the sole season in Foster’s illustrious career where he could be deemed a disappointment, despite recording a brilliant century against Hampshire. However, his resilience shone through, and in 1914, he roared back to his superb 1911 form with the ball. Furthermore, he crafted an astonishing innings of 305 runs against Worcestershire, which boosted his batting average to a respectable 34. In what would tragically be his final first-class match, against the County Champions Surrey, Foster embraced the unfamiliar role of opener on a challenging pitch, scoring a resilient 81 runs and then tearing through the opposition with an incredible 9 wickets for 72 runs, with eight of those dismissals being clean bowled—a definitive display of his comprehensive talent.

A Truncated Legacy

The outbreak of World War I marked an involuntary pause in top-level cricket, but for Frank Foster, the pause became permanent. A devastating motor-cycle accident in 1915 ensured that he would not be able to resume his cricketing career when hostilities ceased in 1919. This premature end robbed the cricketing world of many more years of a truly exceptional all-rounder. Although his playing days were over, Foster left a lasting mark, and his memoirs, offering insights into his remarkable career and the era he dominated, were published in 1930.

Frequently Asked Questions about Frank Foster

Who was Frank Rowbotham Foster?

Frank Rowbotham Foster (1889–1958) was an exceptional English cricketer who played for Warwickshire and England in the early 20th century. He was renowned as a top-tier all-rounder, excelling with both bat and ball.

What made him a great all-rounder?

Foster was a fast-medium left-arm bowler known for his deceptive pace and ability to get significant bounce, and a very aggressive, fast-scoring right-handed batsman with a wide range of strokes. He often topped both batting and bowling averages for his county.

What was his most successful season?

His most successful season was arguably 1911, when he captained Warwickshire to their first County Championship title, leading both batting and bowling averages, and then performed exceptionally on the 1911/12 Ashes tour to Australia.

What cut Frank Foster's cricketing career short?

His career was tragically cut short by a motor-cycle accident in 1915, during World War I, which prevented him from playing cricket again after the war concluded in 1919.

Was he related to the famous Worcestershire Foster cricketing family?

No, despite both families being prominent in English cricket, Frank Rowbotham Foster, who was of Lincolnshire descent, was not related to the famous Foster family from Worcestershire.

How did different pitch conditions affect his play?

Foster thrived on dry, fast, and hard wickets, which aided his bowling and suited his aggressive batting. Conversely, his batting technique revealed flaws on slow, difficult, or wet pitches, though his bowling remained effective even in these conditions.