Telegram for Huddlestone

When Warwickshire visited Lancashire in 1909 they were tormented by Lancashire left-armer Harry Dean who took nine for 35, still the best figures by a bowler on either team in 189 championship meetings between the counties.

Dean went through the Bears on the first day at Aigburth to finish with 13-4-35-9 as Warwickshire were shot out for 64 in 26 overs. Bill Huddlestone took t'other wicket as only number three Charles Baker (25) reached double figures.

Things didn't improve much for the Bears as Lancashire totalled 270 before Huddlestone took the lead second time round with six for 19, Dean taking four for 46 as Warwickshire were dismissed for 84 to lose by an innings and 122 runs. The two bowlers' combined analysis was 57.2-20-124-20.

Huddlestone's off-breaks were so deadly on a helpful wicket that when Lancashire captain 'Monkey' Hornby arrived at Tunbridge Wells one wet morning in 1908 and saw that the wicket was a sticky dog he dispatched a telegram to Manchester to tell Huddlestone to climb aboard the next train down to Kent.