Colin Blythe

Blythe continued to make progress at Tonbridge through the 1899 season in which he took 105 wickets in local matches.[14] On Monday, 21 August, he made his first-class debut for Kent in the County Championship match against Yorkshire at the Angel Ground, which he now regarded as his "home ground".[14] Kent, whose season to date had been poor, surprisingly won the match by 8 wickets against the Championship favourites.[15][14] Yorkshire, captained by Lord Hawke, won the toss and decided to bat. Somewhat sensationally, Yorkshire were quickly reduced to 18 for 3 by Kent captain Jack Mason, who took all three wickets for just one run.[15] The situation changed when Frank Mitchell came in as, with support from Ted Wainwright and George Hirst, he began to punish the Kent bowlers. The score had reached 86 for 4 with Mitchell 55 not out when Mason decided to introduce Blythe into the attack. With his first-ever ball in first-class cricket, Blythe pitched it just off the wicket and it turned to beat Mitchell's lunge and remove his legside bail.[16] He took another wicket in the second innings and retained his first team place in each of the three remaining matches. He ended the season with 14 wickets, including six in the match (three in each innings) against Surrey. The 1900 edition of Wisden Cricketers' Almanack described him as a "new and promising bowler".[17]

Blythe played his first full season of county cricket in 1900, which was a wet summer.[18] Kent's opening match was against Yorkshire at the old Private Banks Sports Ground in Catford and they lost by 131 runs. Play did not start until 4 pm on the first day. In the first evening, Blythe's first dismissal of the season was actually a catch. He caught Jack Brown off Bill Bradley and Yorkshire were struggling at 32 for three. They were soon struggling even more at 32 for four when Bradley returned the favour and caught Ted Wainwright to give Blythe his first wicket of the season. Yorkshire reached 116 for seven at the close. Next morning, they were all out for 163 (Blythe one for 40). Kent could only manage 112 in reply and Yorkshire progressed to 232 for five at the end of day two with Wainwright scoring a century. Yorkshire soon lost their last four wickets (Lord Hawke was injured and could not bat) on the final morning and were all out for 260 (Blythe two for 53) but this gave them a lead of 311 in difficult batting conditions. It was too high a target for Kent and they were dismissed for 180.[19] The next match against Gloucestershire, eleven days later, was also at Catford and rain-affected. No play was possible on the second day and the match was drawn. Blythe, however, did achieve his first five wickets in an innings (5wI) in first-class cricket by taking five for 71 in the Gloucestershire first innings and beating his previous best return of three for 15 against Surrey in 1899.[20] He then took three of the four wickets that fell in the second innings for only thirteen runs. Scoble said it was "a warning signal of what was in store".[18]

The big event in Kent cricket in 1900 was the opening of the new pavilion at the St Lawrence Ground in Canterbury and there were no first-class matches at the ground until the start of Canterbury Week on Monday, 6 August, when Kent played Lancashire. At this point of the season, Blythe had taken 56 wickets in fourteen matches at 22.5 with just three 5wI returns. His first match at Canterbury was, Scoble says, "the turning point". In the last eight matches including the Lancashire one, Blythe took 58 wickets at 14.5 and reached a high standard that would be maintained for the next fourteen seasons.[21]

In the Lancashire match with the pavilion now open, Kent won the toss and elected to bat. Play started on time but only fifty minutes were possible before the first day was washed out. Kent had made 23 for one. Following an overnight storm which demolished numerous tents around the ground, Kent resumed at lunchtime on day two and, in difficult batting conditions, were dismissed for 139 of which Jack Mason scored 73. Lancashire's batsmen struggled too, especially against Blythe who took six for 40, but they did gain a first innings lead of 19 before they were all out for 158. Kent reached 81 for one at the close. Their batting was much better in their second innings and, with play uninterrupted on the final day, they advanced to 279 all out for a lead of 260 but with just over a couple of hours left in which to try for a result. With an outstanding contribution from Blythe, who took five for 32, they nearly did it but time ran out and the match was drawn with Lancashire hanging on at 82 for eight. In his first championship match at the county headquarters, Blythe had taken eleven for 72.[22] Blythe was given a standing ovation as he left the field and the Kent club members spontaneously "passed the hat" for a collection. This realised £7 1s 6d, a not inconsiderable sum, and that was presented to Blythe who was afterwards described the Kentish Express as "the hero of the match" and the "best colt of the year" who will become "the deadliest bowler in England".[23]

Blythe made a great impression in his first full season, taking a total of 114 wickets at an average of 18.47 with his best innings return being the six for 40 against Lancashire. He took five wickets in an innings (5wI) eleven times in all and took ten wickets in a match (10wM) twice, including the eleven against Lancashire.[21] Scoble commented that "the summer of 1900 marked the uncompromising arrival of Blythe upon the English cricket scene" and, largely because of it, Kent finished third-equal in the County Championship, their best performance for ten years.[24] They tied with Sussex but were a long way adrift of champions Yorkshire and runners-up Lancashire, the two Roses counties having transformed the competition into a "two-horse race".[25] Blythe was one of 17 bowlers who took 100 wickets in the season and, among these, his average was fifth-best behind Wilfred Rhodes, Schofield Haigh, Walter Mead and Johnny Briggs.[26]

Blythe was less successful in 1901 as he took 93 wickets at the much higher average of 23.12. Even so, he was one of 24 bowlers who took 90 or more wickets in the season and his average amongst those was fourteenth. His best analysis was seven for 64 and there was one match in which he took ten wickets.[27] Kent slipped to seventh in the championship with all the sevens: they finished seventh and they won, drew and lost seven each of their 21 matches.[28]

Blythe made his first overseas tour in the winter of 1901–02 to Australia as a member of Archie MacLaren's team and made his Test debut in December. He played in eight first-class matches on the tour, taking 34 wickets at 20.91. His best return, and his only 5wI, was five for 45.[29]

Kent again finished seventh in the championship.[30] Blythe had a much better season and was one of eighteen bowlers who took 100 wickets in the season. His tally was 127 at 15.47, his best seasonal average to date which placed him fourth overall behind Haigh, Rhodes and Australia's Hugh Trumble. He achieved 5wI twelve times and 10wM three times, his best analysis being eight for 42.[31]

Kent dropped a place to eighth but still managed a winning record of seven wins and seven draws against six defeats.[32] Blythe was one of seventeen players who took 100 wickets. He took 142, his highest total to date, at 13.75 which was his best average to date. He was the third highest wicket-taker behind Rhodes and Ted Arnold; his average was second-best after Walter Mead with 13.67.[33]

In recognition of his exploits in 1903, Blythe was one of the five Wisden Cricketers of the Year in the 1904 edition of Wisden. The other four players honoured were John Gunn, Albert Knight, Walter Mead and Pelham Warner.[34] In the dedication, Wisden prophetically stated: "As he is still under twenty-five the best of him may not have been seen, but even if he should only remain at his present standard of excellence he ought with ordinary luck to be a most valuable member of the Kent eleven for ten years to come". That is, to 1914, so Wisden was right. They were wrong, however, about his name because as they had obviously heard he was known by his nickname "Charlie", they assumed his given name was Charles and their dedication was erroneously entitled "Charles Blythe".[35]

Kent improved somewhat and won ten of their 21 matches to be placed third in the championship behind Lancashire and Yorkshire. Lancashire were clear winners but there was little to choose between Yorkshire and Kent.[32] The match in July between the two at Harrogate was declared null and void by the umpires following damage to the pitch by overnight vandalism after the first day's play.[32] The umpires invoked Law 9 (illegal alteration of the pitch after the first day), but the teams decided to continue playing for the crowd's entertainment. Blythe was playing for Kent and took five for 125 in Yorkshire's first innings.[36]

Blythe took 138 wickets in the season. This was the second-highest tally after Jack Hearne (145). Blythe's average of 19.60 placed him third behind Hearne and James Hallows. Blythe's best analysis was nine for 30; he achieved 5wI nine times and 10wM twice.[37]

Blythe c. 1905

Kent won ten of their 22 matches and were placed sixth in the championship.[38] Blythe took 149 wickets which was the sixth-highest tally but he was more expensive than previously, causing a higher than usual average of 21.08 which placed him eleventh among bowlers with 100 wickets. His best innings return was eight for 72. He achieved 5wI twelve times and 10wM five times.[39]

Blythe toured South Africa with MCC and played in eleven first-class matches. He took 57 wickets, more than five per match, at 18.35 with a best innings return of 6–68. He achieved 5wI four times and 10wM once.[40]

Kent vs Lancashire at Canterbury by Albert Chevallier Tayler. The painting was commissioned by Kent to celebrate their 1906 County Championship victory and features Blythe bowling to Johnny Tyldesley at the St Lawrence Ground in Canterbury.

In a memorable season for Kent, they won the official County Championship for the first time with a record of sixteen wins and two defeats in their 22 matches. The season had a dramatic finale.[41] Surrey had made much of the running in the title race but their challenge faded after defeats by Kent at Rectory Field and by Yorkshire at Bramall Lane. These results left only Kent and Yorkshire in contention. Yorkshire were the favourites but, in a tense match at Bristol, they lost to Gloucestershire by one run, the smallest possible margin of victory.[42] Kent, who defeated Worcestershire on the same day, now held the advantage. In the next round of matches, Kent and Yorkshire both won. That was Yorkshire's last game and so, in their final match of the season at Bournemouth, Kent had to avoid defeat by Hampshire to take the title.[41] Kent did not just avoid defeat, they won by an innings and 37 runs, Blythe taking twelve wickets with six for 67 and six for 123.[43]

Blythe took 111 wickets at 19.90 in 1906 with a best return of seven for 63. He achieved 5wI ten times and 10wM four times. He was fifteenth in the list of leading wicket-takers and a long way behind his colleague Arthur Fielder who took 186. Blythe's average placed him eighth among the twenty bowlers who took 100 wickets.[44]

In the 1907 County Championship match at the County Cricket Ground, Northampton, Kent defeated Northamptonshire by an innings and 155 runs. Kent had batted first, having won the toss, and had then dismissed Northants for 60 and 39.[45] The story of the match is that it was dominated by, first, the weather and then by Blythe. The first day was Thursday, 28 May, Blythe's 28th birthday. Play could not commence until mid-afternoon and then three hours were possible before more rain intervened. Kent won the toss, batted first and reached 212 for 4. On the Friday, no play was possible because of persistent rain. The weather relented on Saturday morning and Kent were able to continue their innings. Their tactics were simply to score as many as possible as quickly as possible and they added 42 in forty minutes to reach an all out 254 with more than an hour to go before lunch. On a wet but drying wicket, Blythe was in his element. He opened the bowling from the pavilion end and, in sixteen overs, shattered Northants with a career-best return of 10 for 30. Northants had to follow-on but, with Blythe taking seven for 18, their second innings lasted only thirty overs, so Blythe had taken 17 wickets in a single day's play.[46][47] Frank Woolley was playing and he recalled in his memoir that Blythe was unlucky not to take all twenty wickets in the match (this has never been done in first-class cricket). He says Blythe was affected by dropping an absolute "sitter" off his own bowling but that was in the first innings, not the second. The first wicket in the second innings was taken by Bill Fairservice so the all-twenty goal was never on once that wicket fell.[48]

Blythe's best Test bowling performance was eight for 59 (fifteen for 99 in the match) against South Africa at Headingley in the 2nd Test of the 1907 series.[47]

Kent were unable to retain their championship title and slipped to eighth place in the final table, having won twelve of their 26 matches.[49] Blythe had one of his best seasons individually, especially his performances at Northampton and Headingley. He took 183 wickets, the same as George Hirst, and only George Dennett with 201 took more. Blythe's average improved to 15.42 and placed him fifth among the bowlers with 100 wickets. His ten for 30 at Northampton was his best innings return. He achieved 5wI seventeen times and 10wM six times.[50]

Blythe made his second tour Australia, this time with MCC. He played in eleven first-class matches and took 41 wickets at 22.80 with a best return of six for 48. He achieved 5wI three times and 10wM once.[51]

Kent had a very good season and were placed second behind Yorkshire, who were unbeaten in 28 matches. The crucial match was Kent's season opener at Bradford Park Avenue where Yorkshire won by nine wickets. Only 249 runs were scored in the entire game.[52] Kent also lost to Hampshire and Surrey in August.[53] Blythe had an outstanding season and, for the first time, was the country's leading wicket-taker, his 197 putting him well clear of George Hirst (174). Blythe's average was 16.88 (seventh among bowlers with 100 wickets); his best innings return was eight for 83; he achieved 5wI twenty times and 10wM six times.[54]

Having performed with great credit in 1908, Kent won the 1909 title in fine style, losing only two of their 26 matches.[55] Blythe took 215 wickets, 48 wickets more than anyone else, and he was again the national leader. His average of 14.54 was second among bowlers with 100 wickets, behind Schofield Haigh's 13.95. Blythe's best innings return was nine for 42. He achieved 5wI 23 times and 10wM seven times.[56]

Blythe made his second tour of South Africa in his last overseas season. He played in ten first-class matches and took 50 wickets at 15.66 with a best return of seven for 20. He achieved 5wI three times and 10wM once.[57]

Blythe took two hat-tricks in his career, both of them within the same fortnight at the end of June and the beginning of July 1910.[58]

Kent retained the title with a new but short-lived percentage system (wins to matches played) working in their favour. They won nineteen of 25 matches for 76.00% and were well clear of runners-up Surrey who won sixteen of 28 for 57.14%.[59] Blythe took 175 wickets and was second after Razor Smith (247). His average of 14.26 was third-best among the bowlers who took 100 wickets, after Jack Hearne and Razor Smith. Blythe's best innings return was seven for 53; he achieved 5wI eighteen times and 10wM four times.[60]

The 1911 County Championship was the first to award points for first innings lead and it created controversy for Kent who finished marginally second behind Warwickshire. If the 1910 system had been retained, Kent would have won a hat-trick of titles. The key match was their nine-run defeat by Surrey at The Oval in late August which, subject to Warwickshire winning their final match, decided the outcome.[61] Blythe took 138 wickets at 19.38 with a best analysis of eight for 45. He achieved 5wI ten times and 10wM ten times. He had the seventh-highest number of wickets and the fifth-best average.[62]

Kent had another good season but championship success eluded them and they finished third behind Yorkshire and Northants, but as in 1911, they would have won the title under the 1910 percentage system. They won fourteen of their 26 matches.[63] Blythe had his best season in statistical terms as he was both the leading wicket-taker and top of the bowling averages. He took 178 wickets at 12.26 with a best return of eight for 36. He achieved 5wI sixteen times and 10wM eight times.[64]

Kent won their fourth championship in eight seasons with twenty victories in 28 matches.[65] Blythe again topped the bowling averages with 16.34 but his tally of 167 wickets was third-highest behind Major Booth (181) and Bill Hitch (174). Blythe's best bowling return was seven for 21; he achieved 5wI fifteen times and 10wM three times.[66]

Kent won sixteen of their 28 matches and finished third behind Surrey and Middlesex. Their last match was at Bournemouth against Hampshire and they lost it by an innings and 83 runs. This match finished on Wednesday, 2 September, a full four weeks after war had been declared and many players, including Blythe, had already enlisted in the armed forces.[67] Blythe had made his final appearance at Lord's a week earlier, on 27 and 28 August, when Middlesex defeated Kent by 298 runs. Blythe took five 77 and two for 48.[68]

In his last season, Blythe again took the most wickets and topped the bowling averages. His tally of 170 wickets was eight more than Alec Kennedy's 162 and his average of 15.19 marginally better than Alonzo Drake's 15.30. Blythe's best innings return was nine for 97; he achieved 5wI sixteen times and 10wM five times.[69]

Blythe was active in first-class cricket for sixteen seasons from 1899 to 1914, playing in 439 matches. He delivered a total of 103,546 balls and achieved 4,796 maiden overs. He took 2,503 wickets at a cost of 42,094 runs which gave him an average of 16.81 runs per wicket. He took 5wI 218 times, 10wM 71 times and 100 wickets in a season 14 times. His best innings return was the 10 for 30 he achieved on 1 June 1907 at Northampton (see above) and his 17 for 48 that day was his best match return.[1]

As of 2017, Blythe is one of only 33 players who has taken 2,000 first-class career wickets and he is ranked 13th in the list, but he had a much shorter career than any of the first twelve. Among the bowlers with 2,000-plus wickets, his average of 16.81 is the sixth-best after those of Alfred Shaw, Schofield Haigh, Johnny Briggs, Brian Statham and Wilfred Rhodes.[70]

In Test cricket, which for statistical purposes is part of first-class cricket, Blythe represented England nineteen times between December 1901 and March 1910, taking part in seven series. He delivered 4,456 balls and achieved 231 maiden overs. He took exactly 100 wickets at a cost of 1,863 runs for an average of 18.63. He took 5wI nine times and 10wM four times. His best innings return was eight for 59 at Headingley in 1907 and his 15 for 99 there was his best match return.[1]

As a batsman, Blythe was never more than occasionally useful and was always a tail-ender who batted low in the order. He had 587 innings in his career and was not out in 137 of them, so he was dismissed 450 times. He scored 4,443 runs at an average of 9.87 per dismissal. He never scored a century but did achieve five half-centuries. His highest score was his innings of 82 not out at Trent Bridge in 1904. Like most specialist bowlers, Blythe fielded in the outfield and he held 206 career catches.[1] He had 31 Test innings and was not out twelve times, scoring 183 runs at the average of 9.63. His highest Test score was 27 and he held six catches.[1]