Killick Ernest “Tim” Image 2 Sussex 1899

Description

Horsham, Sussex born all-rounder Ernest “Tim” Killick was linked with Sussex cricket for more than half a century, initially as a player and then after retiring as the county’s scorer. Short and of rather slight build he batted freely with all the best strokes of a left-hander and steadily improved from his first appearance for the County in 1893 when 18 years old.

Although having to wear spectacles in 1897 he became accustomed to what seemed a handicap and from July 1898 he played in 389 matches for Sussex without a break; in 1905 he did the double, scoring 1,392 runs and taking 108 wickets; his highest aggregate came next season with 1,767 runs at an average of 36.06. With great batsmen. like C.B. Fry, K.S. Ranjitsinhji and Billy Newham as contemporaries, the diminutive Killick naturally suffered somewhat by comparison, but he accomplished notable performances. The highest of his 22 three-figure innings was 200 against Yorkshire at Hove in 1901, when his second-wicket stand with Fry realised 349 runs. He showed freedom in strokes all round the wicket, especially in cutting, and excelled in 1899 against the Australians with admirable innings of 106 and 57.

His bowling experienced extremes of fortune, among his finest moments taking four Nottinghamshire wickets for two runs, five Hampshire wickets for two runs, a career best seven Essex wickets for 10 runs and 5-14 against Nottinghamshire at Hove in 1910, the other deadly spells. In 1911, Killick earned an unwanted place in cricket bowling history. In the first innings against Nottinghamshire he took 5-14, but in the second innings Ted Alletson hit one of his overs (with 2 no-balls) for 34 runs at Hove, with three 6’s and four 4’s the scoring strokes. Alletson famously took only 40 minutes in scoring 142 out of 152 added for the last wicket. For 57 years, this was the most runs scored in an over of first class cricket, until it was surpassed in 1968 by Garry Sobers, who hit a perfect 36 off Glamorgan’s Malcolm Nash. He made his last appearance for the County in 1913.

In 461 first class matches, Killick scored 18,768 runs at an average of 26.17 with 22 centuries and a highest score of 200. With his bowling he took 729 wickets at 27.30 apiece, with 25 five wicket innings and a single 10 wicket match, also holding 187 catches in first class play.

His uncle, Harry Killick, also played first class cricket.

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