Cricketers were used to time-wasting and refusing to take the field in protest’ in the 1890s. The Thornbury vs. Coal Pit Heath match was played on September 4. It was a rather remarkable match in more respects than the one that took place. Thornbury, captained by Dr. E. M. Grace, scored 28 and 44, and Coal Pit Heath scored 51 in the first inning.
Before commencing the second inning, Coal Pit Heath wasted more than ten minutes having photographs taken of their team. They had only 22 to get to win the match right out, and when one wicket fell for 3, three for 6, they commenced to waste time in coming in, and still more so when four and five fell at the same total, and six for 10 and seven for 12.
The last two men delayed coming in to bat for as long as possible. Dr. E. M. Grace told the umpire to time each man coming and cautioned the other side that he should claim a wicket if the maximum was not in time. When the ninth man came, the umpire said, “You are out, sir, for not being at the crease under two minutes from the fall of the last wicket.”
He retired, but the captain of Coal Pit Heath came onto the field, saying that he should not send any more men in. Dr. E. M. Grace then claimed to win the match, as when the umpire called “play,” the Coal Pit Heath men refused to bat. Just to add in, Dr. E.M. Grace is the elder brother of Dr. W.G Grace and Fred Grace.
