June 27, 1911: Gloucestershire won by three wickets.

Much excitement was expressed amongst Warwickshire's followers in the Dissipated Kipper last evening about what the two Franks might do today on a difficult wicket. Most rather thought the Glosters would be swept away in the second innings.

Well, one Frank did his manly best and was magnificent. The other needs a jolly good talking to.

Warwickshire's last four wickets mustered only another 17 but Gloucestershire's target of 117 looked a tall order if Field and Foster were in form. Field was. He charged in and made all the batsmen, even Jessop, hop about. He took 5 for 20 and would have won his team the match with any help from the other end.

Sadly, Foster was completely out of sorts. We feared the worst when, before play, Arbuthnot confided that Frank was seen heading INTO a gentlemen's club of this parish in the early hours of this morning. Our fears were confirmed when he delivered five somnambulistic overs for 29 then gave way to Santall.

How frustrating is Mr Foster. The man is a brilliant cricketer capable of rare feats. Who can forget last year when he bowled TWO SUCCESSIVE MAIDENS to the mighty Jessop! He can bat like a God and inspire all around him yet he lets himself down so badly. Mr Foster should have a wonderful career for Warwickshire and England ahead of him. We shall see.

Even with his captain ailing, Field almost pulled off a win. With 117 to get Broad and Langdon came out with a view to get them quick and bashed 19 off the first 14 spheres before Field bowled them both to have it 22 for two. But while Warwickshire's leader stood at mid-on in a fuzz, Gloucestershire's batted his team to victory. Jessop hit 48 and when he got out to Santall, having hit the previous two balls to the cover boundary, his team needed only 29.

So another defeat for Warwickshire and one trusts that, during tomorrow's free day before Hampshire arrive at Edgbaston, Mr Ryder or Mr Cartland might have a word with Mr Foster to the effect that the captaincy of Warwickshire is a position of honour and repute and the holder of that office should treat it with the dignity it deserves.

I, meanwhile, look forward to returning to Birmingham (there's only so much swede a man can eat).The Hampshire game looks very interesting while the coming days will, I feel sure, resolve my domestic difficulties. Dilys has agreed to accompany me to Edgbaston on the third day as part of our agreement. I will then attend one of her 'meetings' the next day, July 2. So, after she has been reminded of the glory of cricket and I have had a word with her 'suffragette' friends and put them straight on a few things, life will be able to return to normal at Halford House.