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My First Somerset Five-For: Jack White
Some of the finest players ever to have graced the game have taken to the field for Somerset County Cricket Club over the years.
These players have created some of the most memorable moments in the history of our great Club.
Over the next few weeks we will be taking a closer look at some of Somerset’s most famous bowlers, with special focus falling on their first five-wicket haul for the Club.
Today we look at John Cornish White, who made his Somerset debut in 1909 at the age of just 17.
Coached by Somerset legend E.J. Tyler at Taunton School, there were high hopes for the young man of farming stock who was born in Holford in 1891.
Unfortunately, he failed to excel initially and only played a handful of games over the next few years.
However, things began to change in 1913 and he was never dropped again.
In total, he played 409 First Class matches for the Club, claiming 2165 wickets at an average of 18.03 with a best of 10 for 76. He took five wickets in an innings on no fewer than 185 occasions and claimed 10 wickets in a match 57 times.
He was no fool with the bat either, scoring six hundreds for the Club and 41 half centuries with a best score of 192. He passed 1000 runs in a season on two occasions.
His first five-wicket haul came in a three-day County Championship match against local rivals Gloucestershire at Taunton in 1913.
Although Somerset won the toss and elected to bat first, no play was possible on the opening day of the fixture.
When play finally got underway on the second day, the hosts were dismissed for 166 inside 80 overs. Len Braund top scored with 60, whilst George Dennett and his fine handlebar mustache claimed five for 77.
By the close of play, the visitors had reached 21 for one in their reply, White claiming the wicket to fall.
On the third and final day he ripped through the Gloucestershire side finishing with seven for 26 from his 13.2 overs as the visitors were all out for just 55.
Batting for a second time, Somerset declared on 96 for eight, setting their rivals a victory target of 208.
White claimed another three wickets in Gloucestershire’s second innings but the visitors just held on to secure the draw, reaching the close of play with the scoreboard showing 104 for eight.
Although the home side were unable to claim the victory in the local derby, it was the first genuine glimpse of one of Somerset’s greatest ever players.
