THE LATE MR F. S. FRANKISH.

Wanganui Herald, Volume XXXXIV, Issue 12785, 2 June 1909, Page 6

THE LATE MR F. S. FRANKISH.

The late Mr F. S. Frankish, whose death occurred in Wanganui on Sunday last, was one of the finest all-xound cricketers New Zealand has produced, and a few particulars of his career may prove of interest. The deceased: was educated at Christ's College, and while still at school he ihade a name for himself on the cricket field and on the running track. He won the champion cup at .the College sports in 1890, and next season, at the Canterbury A.A.C.'s meeting, he won thfe 100 yds scratch race in the fast time of 10 l-ssec, beating. the standard. Though such a very fast runner, it was" as a cricketer that he became really famous. He was regarded as ■ the best left-handed bowler the College had ever turned out, and he was also- a promising batsman. Leaving school, lie joined the Canterbury Uniteds, and was at.pnce giyan a place in the senior team. He met with a good deal of success as a bowler early in hils career, but it was not until. after he had spent two or three years on the West Coast and returned to Chrisfcchurch that he developed his batting talents. Playing for the Uniteds in the 1895-6 season, lite took 46 wickets at an average cost of JL2-.60 each. Next season he did not do quite sb well with the ball, but improved on his batting figures. That season ie was chosen to play for Canterbury for the first time, but lie did not prove very successful, his one wicket costing 43 runs, anfi he only scored 0 and 1 not out, Wellington, being/ the opponents of Canterbury, lh 1896-7 he secured 52 wickets at a cost oi 9.11 runs each for his side, his best performance being 8 wickets lor 30 runs, against- Sydenham. He played for Canterbury against Queensland, Wellington, ano Otago, and with the ball took 13 wickets, at a cost of 16.85 per wicket. He did not play for his province next season, but for liis club was very successful, taking 39 wickets for 12.17 runs each, and averaging 20.66 with the bat. In 18.98-9 he .sapurcisi 33 wickers at a cost of 13.6 runs cacti;. and averaged 22.16 with the .bat for his 'club. Next season he scored 327 runs in 10 completed innings, and captured 33 wickets at a cost of 21.69 runs each. In 1900-1 he again batted and bowled well, taking 43 wickets at a cost of 9.35 runs each. His best, performances were seven wickets fqr 10 runs, and eight for 26, against Sydenham. The following . season lie did not play so much for his club> but batted well, and did some .fine bowling. In 1902-3 he jwas.in splendid form with both bat and ba{l, averaging over 40 per innings with the former, . and taking 43 wickets at a cost of 12.65 runs each. His fine allround play the next season went a long way to enable tie Sydenham Club to win the championship. Besides being so prominent in inter-club games, Frankish played for Canterbury on numerous occasions, and was chosen .to represent .New Zealand several , times, also forming one of the.Dominion representatives' which visited Tasmania ,a,nd Australia in 1898r9. Unfortunately Frankish was conxpelled ,to retire from the game while still in his prime ovfrihg to ill-health, otherwise he would probably have made his name even more famous in New Zealand's cricket history than it is, but still, he did enough in his all too brief career to prove that he was one of the finest all-round players yet produced in the Dominion. He made trips to the more congenial climate of the Soutfi Sea Islands and other places in the hope of regaining his health, which, however, gradually got worse. About 12 months ago he came to Wanganui, but though everything that was possible w.-js done for him, the ravages of the fell disease, consumption, could not be cheoked, and on Sunday last he passed away, after a long illness, borne with great fortitude. The deceased was highly respected by all who had the pleasure of his acquaintance, and his untimely end will be regretted by a host of friends.