Sibbles Frank Image 1 Lancashire 1926

Description

Werneth, Oldham, Lancashire born right-arm off-spin bowler Frank Sibbles began playing cricket for Werneth Cricket Club in the Central Lancashire Cricket League. It was during this period that he was first chosen to represent Lancashire as a replacement for Cecil Parkin in 1925, who had left the County to play league cricket. In 10 matches in his debut season Sibbles took 43 wickets at only 13.46 apiece, including 6 Somerset wickets at Weston-super-Mare. He was a member of Lancashire’s successful Championship side led by Colonel Leonard Green in 1926-27-28.

As well as bowling off-spin, Sibbles sometimes bowled medium pace and using off-cutters, regularly opened the bowling for Lancashire in the 1930’s with in-swingers bowled at a brisk pace. In his final season for Lancashire in 1937, Sibbles’ bowling was affected by a knee injury and he was forced to retire. According to Wisden, he was “one of the most consistent cricketers without a major representative honour to his name”. He played just once for The Players v The Gentlemen at Lord’s. His career best figures of 8-24 came against Somerset at Old Trafford in 1927, although he is remembered for the 7-10 with which he demoralised Yorkshire at Bradford in 1932. That day Sibbles proudly claimed `the ball did everything I wanted it to do and more besides!’ In his last season, 1937, he was still accurate and deadly enough to capture five Essex wickets for only eight runs although badly handicapped by knee trouble. Twice he claimed more than 100 wickets in a season. In 1932, his most successful year, he took 131 wickets for 1,754 runs each and in 1937 was still commanding respect with a return of 107 wickets at 23.15 runs each. As a batsman Sibbles could defend doggedly when called upon and he could also hit out if needed.

In 315 first class matches he scored 3,479 runs at an average of 14.67 with 12 half centuries and a highest score of 71 not out. With his bowling he took 940 wickets at 22.43 apiece, recording 4 ten wicket matches and taking five wickets or more in an innings on 41 occasions, also taking 181 catches in first class play.

Len Hopwood said of his friend and colleague ‘Squibs’: `He was a consistent and attractive cricketer … one who could be relied upon to get wickets and runs when they were needed most.’ After retiring from playing, Sibbles joined the Lancashire committee, and at one point was chairman of the board of selectors which chose the Lancashire team. Upon his retirement he was honoured by a vice-presidency of the County.

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