William Lockwood, English cricketer (b. 1868)

William Henry Lockwood (25 March 1868 – 26 April 1932) was an indelible figure in English cricket during its formative professional era, renowned primarily as a Test cricketer and a fiercely unpredictable fast bowler. Hailing from Surrey, he forged a memorable, albeit contrasting, partnership with the indefatigable Tom Richardson, becoming a cornerstone of the county's attack in the fledgling days of the County Championship.

Lockwood's Distinctive Bowling Prowess

While his Surrey teammate, Tom Richardson, was celebrated for his astonishing work rate and relentless accuracy, Lockwood's genius lay in his sheer unpredictability and explosive bursts of brilliance. He was not built for the long, arduous spells that Richardson regularly delivered; instead, Lockwood operated with a much shorter run-up, often seen coming down very heavily in his delivery stride, which contributed to his unique action. His bowling could certainly make the ball 'break back' – a term for when the ball deviates towards the stumps after pitching – though perhaps not with the extreme sharpness that Richardson might achieve. What truly set Lockwood apart, however, were the extremely subtle variations in pace and pitch that characterized his deliveries. He had a particular knack for disguising a slower ball so effectively that it would be bowled without any perceptible change in his action, often leaving batsmen utterly bewildered and frequently claiming they simply never anticipated it. This deceptive quality made him an occasional, yet devastating, force capable of turning the tide of a match in a few explosive overs.

A Capable All-Rounder at the Crease

Beyond his primary role as a fearsome fast bowler, Lockwood was also a capable and often valuable batsman. His first-class career statistics reflect this, boasting a commendable tally of over 10,000 runs, a significant achievement for any player of his era, especially one primarily celebrated for his bowling. He proved particularly effective against weaker bowling attacks, often capitalizing on opportunities to score freely. However, when faced with the highest calibre of pace and spin bowling, certain technical flaws in his batting occasionally became apparent, limiting his consistency against the very strongest opposition. Nevertheless, his contributions with the bat added crucial depth to the Surrey side and underscored his status as a genuine all-rounder.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Who was William Henry Lockwood?

William Henry Lockwood was an English Test cricketer (1868-1932) renowned as a fast bowler for Surrey and England.

What was William Lockwood's primary cricketing skill?

He was primarily a fast bowler, known for his unpredictable style, subtle variations of pace and pitch, and a deceptive slower ball.

How did Lockwood compare to his contemporary, Tom Richardson?

Lockwood was the unpredictable, occasionally devastating counterpart to the amazingly hard-working and consistent Tom Richardson. While Richardson bowled long, strenuous spells, Lockwood's strength was his explosive, shorter bursts of bowling with cunning deception.

What was Lockwood's batting record like?

He was a capable batsman, scoring over 10,000 runs in first-class cricket, particularly effective against weaker bowling sides, though his technique had flaws against stronger attacks.

Which county team did William Henry Lockwood play for primarily?

He played primarily for Surrey in the early County Championship.