FAMOUS CRICKETER DEAD

New Zealand Herald, Volume LI, Issue 15610, 15 May 1914, Page 7

FAMOUS CRICKETER DEAD

LATE R. E. FOSTER. By Telegraph—Pies:) Association—Copyright, London, May 13. R. E. Foster, the famous cricketer, died to-day in London. He had been ill for some time suffering from consumption following upon diabetes. GREAT SCORE IN TEST MATCH.

Tho late R. E. Foster, who was born in 1878, was the eldest of that famous family of Worcester cricketer? which has done such deeds in the cricket field that Worcestershire is. as often as not, known as " Fostershirc." "R.E." was educated at Malvern and Oxford, and early showed promise as a batsman. At tho public school ho first demonstrated his abilities, and had no difficulty in gaining his " blue" at Oxford. He proved a tower of strength for Worcestershire, and playing for that county against Hampshire in July, 1899. secured the distinction of scoring two centuries, 134 and 101, in one match. Ho twice repealed this feat, scoring 128 and 100 not out for Oxford University against J. A. Webbe's eleven in May 1900, and 102 not out and 136 in the annual match between the Gentlemen and Players at Lord's in July, ISOO, this being his'first appearance in such a match. Only one other cricketer, J. H. King, ha« ever made two separate centuries in this match. In the following year, 1901, Foster scored over 2000 runs, his total for the season being 8128. His greatest performance, however, was his huge score in the test match between England and Australia at Sydney in 19034. when ho ran up 287. a record for an English team in Australia. England won the match by five wickets after Victor Trumpcr had scored 190 not out for Australia in the second innings. Foster was a batsman of aggressive "type and though he had not been very prominent of late years, will always be remembered as one of Worcester's best cricketers.