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Teddy Tyler items donated to Somerset Cricket Museum
The Somerset Cricket Museum was recently presented with two prized items relating to the legendary Teddy Tyler.
The slow left-armer was one of the cricketers who played a major part in helping Somerset gain First Class status and between 1891 and 1907, appearing in 177 First Class matches and taking 864 wickets at an average of 22.34.
Tyler holds the record for the best bowling figures by a Somerset bowler for the 10 for 49 he took against Surrey in 1895. During his career Tyler took 15 wickets in a match twice, 14 wickets in a match on three occasions and 13 wickets twice.
One of the items presented to the Museum was the ball that was used by Tyler to take the first ever hat-trick for Somerset in First Class cricket. This feat was achieved against Yorkshire at the end of August 1895. His three victims were John Brown, David Denton and John Tunnicliffe. In the first innings Tyler claimed seven for 133 and in the second he took seven for 114, which included the hat-trick.
The hat-trick ball, along with some early Somerset CCC yearbooks signed by Tyler, were donated by Brian Lee, who said: “Ted Tyler was a very distant relative on my Dad’s side and the cricket ball and books have been passed down through the family over the years.
“I was born here in Taunton and now live in Newton Abbot. I came back to watch a number of matches in the 1970s and 80s in the Glory Years and I come up to watch Somerset occasionally.
“The books and ball have sat on the shelf, and I thought it was time that other people had the chance to share them.”
The second item relating to Tyler was an engraved silver cigarette box presented to the bowler to commemorate his 14 for 122 against Gloucestershire at Ashley Down in May 1896. In the first innings Tyler took six for 50 which he followed up with eight for 72. In both innings he took the wicket of W.G. Grace.
Stephen Astaire, who donated the cigarette box, said: “I collect boxes and vesta cases with interesting engravings on them. I bought the cigarette box off eBay 10 or 15 years ago and now I’ve got so many I thought I’d thin my collection out.
“I contacted Jamie Cox and told him I’d got this box and asked if the Club would like to have it to exhibit. Mike Unwin from the Museum replied to me and I have brought it down.”
SCCC Chief Executive Jamie Cox was on hand to receive the two new treasured items relating to the achievements of one of Somerset’s early heroes.
Jamie Cox (centre) is pictured with Stephen Astaire (left) and Brian Lee.
