Pelham Warner
Sir Pelham Francis Warner (2 October 1873 – 30 January 1963), often called Plum, was an English cricketer, team manager, magazine editor, and author who was born in Port of Spain, Trinidad. He had a very long playing career as a right-handed batter from 1894 to 1929.[1]
First-class career
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In domestic first-class cricket, Warner played for Oxford University from 1894 to 1896, and for Middlesex from 1894 to 1920. He was the Middlesex team captain from 1908 to 1920. He also made occasional appearances for Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) from 1894 to 1929, and for various other teams including the Gentlemen and the South. Warner made 521 first-class appearances in total, scoring 29,028 runs and 60 centuries with a highest score of 244. As a fielder, he held 183 catches. He rarely bowled, but he did take fifteen wickets in his career with his right arm slow deliveries.[1]
International career
[change | change source]In international cricket, Warner played for England in fifteen Test matches from February 1899 to June 1912. He was England's captain on their successful tour of Australia in 1903/04, leading the team to a 3–2 series win against Australia, which meant they recovered "The Ashes".[1]
Warner was the joint manager, with Richard Palairet, of England's tour of Australia in 1932/33—the notorious "Bodyline" tour. Warner was strongly opposed to Douglas Jardine's so-called leg theory, but he felt obliged to support his team captain, and did not interfere with Jardine's tactics.[2]
Writing and publishing
[change | change source]Warner became a prolific writer on the subject of cricket. In 1921, when The Cricketer was founded, he became its Editor, and held the post until 1962, the year before his death. He wrote numerous articles for the magazine. At various times, he was the cricket correspondent for the Westminster Gazette, the Morning Post, and the Daily Telegraph. In addition, he wrote several books including How We Recovered The Ashes, Lord's 1787–1945, and Gentlemen v. Players 1806–1949.[2]
Death
[change | change source]Pelham Warner died in West Lavington, West Sussex, aged 89.[1]
References
[change | change source]- 1 2 3 4 "Pelham Warner". CricketArchive. Retrieved 31 October 2025.
- 1 2 "Pelham Warner—Obituary". Wisden Cricketers' Almanack. John Wisden & Co. 1964 – via ESPNcricinfo.