by Abhishek Mukherjee
Cricket quizzers know Jim Parks Sr as the only man to have done the 3,000 run-100 wicket double in a season (3,003 and 101 in 1937). He also played a Test, in 1937. This story is about his First-Class debut.
While not in the league of elder brother Albert, Bob Relf was decent all-rounder. He had not play after 1921. Then, after a three-year gap, Sussex suddenly included him for their match against Surrey at The Oval.
Relf was born in Berkshire, but he had become eligible to play for Sussex. There was nothing wrong in that. But there was a problem now. Since his last appearance for Sussex, Relf had played twice for Berkshire against Wiltshire. THis meant that he had to go through the qualification process again.
The one man who would have noticed this was Surrey captain Percy ender. However, Fender was not present at the toss (Jardine represeented Surrey).
Only four overs could be bowled on Day 1. There was no play on Day 2. So far, so good.
But Fender had shown up meanwhile. He asked for the team sheets, saw Relf's name, and objected immediately (what sort of memory did the man have?).
At this point everyone was confused. Relf was obviously ineligible to play. On the other hand, the match had already started.
So they called MCC. While they acknowledged the problem, they could not offer much of a solution. They left it to the two captains, declaring that either Relf would continue to play or Sussex would play with ten men.
Fender would obviously going to have nothing of that sort. There was no way he would have allowed Relf to keep playing. Gilligan, leading Sussex for the match, saw Fender's point agreed to play with ten men.
But that would not be fair, either, thought Fender. So they reached a consensus, following which Sussex sent a telegram to summon Jim Parks from Hayward Heath.
That was how Parks debuted. He played a key role, too. After Tate and Gilligan bowled out Surrey for 53, Parks came out at 105/9, remained unbeaten on 17, and helped Albert Holmes add 60 for the last wicket. However, Hobbs and Sandham saved the match.
Parks took place for the first time in First-Class cricket 7 June 1924. Interestingly, the match counts as a First-Class appearance for both him and Relf.