Winston Place
Encyclopedia
Winston Place was an English cricket
er who played in 3 Tests
in 1948. An opening batsman for Lancashire
, he shared a prolific partnership with Cyril Washbrook
and was part of the county championship
winning side of 1950. Place played first-class cricket until 1955, when his contract was not renewed. He became an umpire
for one season, but retired to spend more time with his family.
for his club side. The club's professional player, Sydney Barnes
, recommended Place to Lancashire County Cricket Club
. Place served an apprenticeship as an engineer before serving an apprenticeship at Lancashire in 1936.
The Lancashire batting line up of the time was a strong one, and Place had limited opportunities to break into the first team. He managed to made his debut in 1937, scoring his maiden century in his first season against Nottinghamshire
. He finished with 563 runs from 14 matches at an average of 29.63. He enjoyed playing for Lancashire; on the last day of his first season, when asked by other cricketers in the Lancashire team how he would be spending his holiday, he replied "this is the last day of my holiday". Between 1937 and 1939, Place was unable to secure a permanent place in Lancashire's team and in three seasons he managed 1,277 runs in 33 matches at an average of 29.02 with two centuries. In 1939, when opening with Cyril Washbrook
as a replacement for the injured Eddie Paynter
, Place scored 164 against the touring
West Indies team. In 1939, Place was awarded his cap
by Lancashire.
The outbreak of the Second World War prevented Place from playing first-class cricket until 1946, he was able to play charity matches and represented Horwich
in the Bolton Cricket League
. During the war, worked as an engineer in Accrington
. He was married in 1940.
. The partnership was one of the most prolific for Lancashire and the best on the county circuit
at the time. The 1946 and 1947 English cricket seasons were Place's most successful, producing 1,868 runs at 41.51 and 2,501 at 62.52 respectively. These were his most productive seasons and in 1947 he scored 10 centuries including his career best 266 not out which was scored against Oxford University; his second-highest total centuries for a season is four. He was 12th man for England against South Africa when they played a Test match at Headingley. Place's "golden summer" earned him selection for England's tour of the West Indies when Denis Compton
, Bill Edrich
, Len Hutton
, and fellow Lancastrian Cyril Washbrook opted out of the tour.
He made his debut on 21 January 1948 against the West Indies at Bridgetown. Place opened the batting with Jack Robertson
, but was unsuccessful, scoring 12 in the first innings and 1 not out
in the second when he dropped down the batting order to number six. Place sustained a bruised knuckle in the Test and missed the second Test due to a ruptured groin muscle that happened during a tour match against Trinidad. He was able to return for the final two matches of the series. Due to injuries to the team, Len Hutton had been called up, forcing Place to move from his accustomed place opening the batting to number three. In the third Test, he scored 1 and 15. Place's most significant Test innings came in his final match. After scoring 8 in the first innings, Place scored a battling 107, his only Test century.
On his return to England, Place drifted out of England contention, and did not even feature in the Test trial as England prepared for Australia's tour in 1948. Despite being overlooked by the national selectors, he remained an integral part of Lancashire's batting line up, scoring 1,000 every season between 1946 and 1953. In 1949, Place suffered a broken hand, keeping him from playing seven matches, although he did manage a county championship
best of 226 not out against Nottinghamshire
. He toured with the Commonwealth XI
which toured India, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka in 1949/50
, scoring 386 runs at 20.31 in 12 matches.
, and demonstrated his popularity with the Lancashire fans. The last time Place passed 1,000 runs in a season was in 1953. In 1954 he averaged a disappointing 21.64 with only one century, but the 1955 season was leaner still, amassing only 179 runs from 10 matches. At the age of 40, Place was released by Lancashire, and on being told his career with Lancashire was over he broke down in tears.
He became a first-class umpire, and although he enjoyed the job he disliked being separated from his family and quit after one season. Of Place's umpiring, Peter Tinniswood
said "I am reminded here of that great and saintly Lancashire cricketer, Mr Winston Place, who on retiring from the first-class game took up umpiring. He resigned from his position, however, because such was his goodness and benevolence, he could not bear to give people out. God is rather like Winston Place". On retiring, he became a newsagent in his home town of Rawtenstall, even playing for the town's cricket team, living with his wife and two daughters. He died on 25 January 2002.
Cricket
Cricket is a bat-and-ball game played between two teams of 11 players on an oval-shaped field, at the centre of which is a rectangular 22-yard long pitch. One team bats, trying to score as many runs as possible while the other team bowls and fields, trying to dismiss the batsmen and thus limit the...
er who played in 3 Tests
Test cricket
Test cricket is the longest form of the sport of cricket. Test matches are played between national representative teams with "Test status", as determined by the International Cricket Council , with four innings played between two teams of 11 players over a period of up to a maximum five days...
in 1948. An opening batsman for Lancashire
Lancashire County Cricket Club
Lancashire County Cricket Club represents the historic county of Lancashire in cricket's County Championship. The club was founded in 1864 as a successor to Manchester Cricket Club and has played at Old Trafford since then...
, he shared a prolific partnership with Cyril Washbrook
Cyril Washbrook
Cyril Washbrook was an English cricketer, who played for Lancashire and England. He had a long career, split by World War II, and ending when he was aged 44. Washbrook, who is most famous for opening the batting for England with Len Hutton, which he did fifty one times, played a total of 592...
and was part of the county championship
County Championship
The County Championship is the domestic first-class cricket competition in England and Wales...
winning side of 1950. Place played first-class cricket until 1955, when his contract was not renewed. He became an umpire
Umpire (cricket)
In cricket, an umpire is a person who has the authority to make judgements on the cricket field, according to the Laws of Cricket...
for one season, but retired to spend more time with his family.
Youth and early career
Winston Place was born in Rawtenstall; was orphaned at the age of 5 and was raised by his aunt. He represented Rawtenstall's cricket team in the Lancashire League. At the age of 15, Place began opening the battingBatting order (cricket)
In cricket, the batting order is the sequence in which batsmen play through their team's innings, there always being two batsmen taking part at any one time...
for his club side. The club's professional player, Sydney Barnes
Sydney Barnes
Sydney Francis Barnes was an English professional cricketer who is generally regarded as one of the greatest bowlers in the sport's history...
, recommended Place to Lancashire County Cricket Club
Lancashire County Cricket Club
Lancashire County Cricket Club represents the historic county of Lancashire in cricket's County Championship. The club was founded in 1864 as a successor to Manchester Cricket Club and has played at Old Trafford since then...
. Place served an apprenticeship as an engineer before serving an apprenticeship at Lancashire in 1936.
The Lancashire batting line up of the time was a strong one, and Place had limited opportunities to break into the first team. He managed to made his debut in 1937, scoring his maiden century in his first season against Nottinghamshire
Nottinghamshire County Cricket Club
Nottinghamshire County Cricket Club is one of the 18 major county clubs which make up the English and Welsh domestic cricket structure, representing the historic county of Nottinghamshire, and the current county champions. Its limited overs team is called the Nottinghamshire Outlaws...
. He finished with 563 runs from 14 matches at an average of 29.63. He enjoyed playing for Lancashire; on the last day of his first season, when asked by other cricketers in the Lancashire team how he would be spending his holiday, he replied "this is the last day of my holiday". Between 1937 and 1939, Place was unable to secure a permanent place in Lancashire's team and in three seasons he managed 1,277 runs in 33 matches at an average of 29.02 with two centuries. In 1939, when opening with Cyril Washbrook
Cyril Washbrook
Cyril Washbrook was an English cricketer, who played for Lancashire and England. He had a long career, split by World War II, and ending when he was aged 44. Washbrook, who is most famous for opening the batting for England with Len Hutton, which he did fifty one times, played a total of 592...
as a replacement for the injured Eddie Paynter
Eddie Paynter
Edward "Eddie" Paynter was an English cricketer: an attacking batsman and excellent fielder. His Test batting average of 59.23 is the fifth highest of all time, and second only to Herbert Sutcliffe amongst Englishmen; against Australia alone Paynter averaged an extraordinary 84.42.Born in...
, Place scored 164 against the touring
West Indian cricket team in England in 1939
The West Indies cricket team toured England in the 1939 season to play a three-match Test series against England. England won the series 1-0 with two matches drawn. A total of 25 first-class matches was played and the West Indian side won eight of them and lost six, with the others drawn...
West Indies team. In 1939, Place was awarded his cap
Cap (sport)
In sports, a cap is a metaphorical term for a player's appearance on a select team, such as a national team. The term dates from the practice in the United Kingdom of awarding a cap to every player in an international match of association football...
by Lancashire.
The outbreak of the Second World War prevented Place from playing first-class cricket until 1946, he was able to play charity matches and represented Horwich
Horwich
Horwich is a town and civil parish within the Metropolitan Borough of Bolton, in Greater Manchester, England. It is southeast of Chorley, northwest of Bolton and northwest from the city of Manchester. It lies at the southern edge of the West Pennine Moors with the M61 motorway close to the...
in the Bolton Cricket League
Bolton Cricket League
The Bolton Cricket League is a cricket league comprising fourteen teams in and around Bolton, Greater Manchester in North West England. The league runs competitions at First Team, Second Team, Under 18, Under 15, Under 13 and Under 11 levels.-Teams:...
. During the war, worked as an engineer in Accrington
Accrington
Accrington is a town in Lancashire, within the borough of Hyndburn. It lies about east of Blackburn, west of Burnley, north of Manchester city centre and is situated on the mostly culverted River Hyndburn...
. He was married in 1940.
Post-war career
After the war, Place, who was 31 at the time, was the first choice batsman to open with Cyril WashbrookCyril Washbrook
Cyril Washbrook was an English cricketer, who played for Lancashire and England. He had a long career, split by World War II, and ending when he was aged 44. Washbrook, who is most famous for opening the batting for England with Len Hutton, which he did fifty one times, played a total of 592...
. The partnership was one of the most prolific for Lancashire and the best on the county circuit
County cricket
County cricket is the highest level of domestic cricket in England and Wales. For the 2010 season, see 2010 English cricket season.-First-class counties:...
at the time. The 1946 and 1947 English cricket seasons were Place's most successful, producing 1,868 runs at 41.51 and 2,501 at 62.52 respectively. These were his most productive seasons and in 1947 he scored 10 centuries including his career best 266 not out which was scored against Oxford University; his second-highest total centuries for a season is four. He was 12th man for England against South Africa when they played a Test match at Headingley. Place's "golden summer" earned him selection for England's tour of the West Indies when Denis Compton
Denis Compton
Denis Charles Scott Compton CBE was an English cricketer who played in 78 Test matches, and a footballer...
, Bill Edrich
Bill Edrich
William John "Bill" Edrich DFC was a distinguished cricketer who played for Middlesex, MCC, Norfolk and England.Edrich's three brothers, Brian, Eric and Geoff, and also his cousin, John, all played first-class cricket...
, Len Hutton
Len Hutton
Sir Leonard "Len" Hutton was an English Test cricketer, who played for Yorkshire County Cricket Club and England in the years around the Second World War as an opening batsman. He was described by Wisden Cricketer's Almanack as one of the greatest batsmen in the history of cricket...
, and fellow Lancastrian Cyril Washbrook opted out of the tour.
He made his debut on 21 January 1948 against the West Indies at Bridgetown. Place opened the batting with Jack Robertson
Jack Robertson
Jack Robertson was an English cricketer, who played county cricket for Middlesex, and in eleven Tests for England....
, but was unsuccessful, scoring 12 in the first innings and 1 not out
Not out
In cricket, a batsman will be not out if he comes out to bat in an innings and has not been dismissed by the end of the innings. One may similarly describe a batsman as not out while the innings is still in progress...
in the second when he dropped down the batting order to number six. Place sustained a bruised knuckle in the Test and missed the second Test due to a ruptured groin muscle that happened during a tour match against Trinidad. He was able to return for the final two matches of the series. Due to injuries to the team, Len Hutton had been called up, forcing Place to move from his accustomed place opening the batting to number three. In the third Test, he scored 1 and 15. Place's most significant Test innings came in his final match. After scoring 8 in the first innings, Place scored a battling 107, his only Test century.
On his return to England, Place drifted out of England contention, and did not even feature in the Test trial as England prepared for Australia's tour in 1948. Despite being overlooked by the national selectors, he remained an integral part of Lancashire's batting line up, scoring 1,000 every season between 1946 and 1953. In 1949, Place suffered a broken hand, keeping him from playing seven matches, although he did manage a county championship
County Championship
The County Championship is the domestic first-class cricket competition in England and Wales...
best of 226 not out against Nottinghamshire
Nottinghamshire County Cricket Club
Nottinghamshire County Cricket Club is one of the 18 major county clubs which make up the English and Welsh domestic cricket structure, representing the historic county of Nottinghamshire, and the current county champions. Its limited overs team is called the Nottinghamshire Outlaws...
. He toured with the Commonwealth XI
Commonwealth XI cricket team
The Commonwealth XI cricket team played over 100 first-class cricket matches from 1949 to 1968. The team started out as a side made up of mostly English, Australian and West Indian cricketers, that toured the subcontinent but later on played first-class fixtures in England...
which toured India, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka in 1949/50
Commonwealth XI cricket team in India in 1949-50
A Commonwealth XI cricket team toured India and Pakistan in the 1949-50 season and played 17 first-class matches, including five against an All-India XI....
, scoring 386 runs at 20.31 in 12 matches.
Decline and after cricket
Place's benefit year was in 1952 and raised £6,297; at the time this figure was only bettered by the benefits of Washbrook and Dick PollardDick Pollard
Richard "Dick" Pollard was an English cricketer born in Westhoughton, Lancashire, who played in four Tests between 1946 and 1948...
, and demonstrated his popularity with the Lancashire fans. The last time Place passed 1,000 runs in a season was in 1953. In 1954 he averaged a disappointing 21.64 with only one century, but the 1955 season was leaner still, amassing only 179 runs from 10 matches. At the age of 40, Place was released by Lancashire, and on being told his career with Lancashire was over he broke down in tears.
He became a first-class umpire, and although he enjoyed the job he disliked being separated from his family and quit after one season. Of Place's umpiring, Peter Tinniswood
Peter Tinniswood
Peter Tinniswood was an English radio and TV comedy scriptwriter, and author of a series of popular cricketing novels...
said "I am reminded here of that great and saintly Lancashire cricketer, Mr Winston Place, who on retiring from the first-class game took up umpiring. He resigned from his position, however, because such was his goodness and benevolence, he could not bear to give people out. God is rather like Winston Place". On retiring, he became a newsagent in his home town of Rawtenstall, even playing for the town's cricket team, living with his wife and two daughters. He died on 25 January 2002.